Exploring the DPPH radical scavenging capacity for activated carbon nanoparticles prepared from date seed by an electrochemical approach

• Published in: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society 2024-10, Vol.101 (10), p.101269, Article 101269
• Main Authors: Movahhedipoor, Najmeh, Nabavi-Amri, Sayyed Ahmad, Jabbari, Morteza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon nanoparticles; Antioxidant activity; Cyclic voltammetry; Date seed; DPPH radical
• ISSN: 0019-4522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2024.101269

Date seed as a low-cost and abundant natural resource was used to prepare the activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNPs) for examining their antioxidant activity because they are one of the potential candidates for antioxidants due to their large surface area, re-activation, biocompatibility, and lower cytotoxicity. The prepared ACNPs have been fully characterized by different techniques consisting of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD measurements confirmed the amorphous structure of the activated carbon nanoparticles. TEM images showed nano-sized carbon particles in a range of 8–30 nm. The SEM micrographs showed a disordered and non-smooth surface morphology with a well-developed porous structure. The DPPH radical scavenging efficiency of ACNPs was assessed using electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique in different concentrations of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ppm DPPH and at temperatures of 19, 28 and 37 °C. The CV experiments were done at different voltage scan rates of 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mV s−1. It was found that ACNPs display a high scavenging activity against DPPH radical and the increase of temperature reduces their activity. It can be concluded that the CV technique, which takes advantage of fast analysis and control on the experimental conditions represents a valid alternative for the DPPH assay. [Display omitted] Statement of Significance:•The activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNPs) were produced from the natural and low-cost date seeds.•TEM images showed nano-sized carbon particles with an average diameter of 8–30 nm which possess a porous and unsmoothed surface.•The DPPH radical scavenging efficiency of ACNPs was assessed using electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique.•It was found that ACNPs display a high scavenging activity against DPPH radical and the increase of temperature reduces their activity.