Decorated silver nanoparticles over chitosan modified CNTs/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles: A recyclable navel catalyst for solvent-free A³ coupling reactions and evaluation of its anti-breast cancer effects

The present research illustrates a sustainable method for the in situ-immobilized Ag nanoparticles on the chitosan biopolymer functionalized Fe₃O₄ supported over high surface carbon nanotubes (CNT). Numerous amino and hydroxyl organofunctions over chitosan biopolymer facilitated the green synthesis of the Ag NPs from silver ions without toxic reagents. Physicochemical properties of the designed material were further assessed using a number of characterization techniques, including TEM, FE-SEM, EDX, VSM elemental mapping, and ICP analysis. The TEM analysis depicted the Ag NPs deposited on the inner and outer surfaces of the CNT within the size range of 25–30 nm. Map sum spectrum revealed the major component of the nanocomposite as C (76.1 %). VSM studies showed the magnetization saturation value as 18.7 emu/g. The CNTs/Fe₃O₄@CS/Ag NPs was subsequently employed in the one-pot three component A³ coupling of phenylacetylene, morpholine and diverse aldehydes under solvent-less conditions to afford excellent yields (85–95 %) of a range of propargylamine derivatives. Recyclability was studied for seven consecutive cycles with any discernible reduction in activity. Furthermore, hot filtration and leaching test was carried out to validate the durability of the catalyst. Additionally, cytotoxic properties of the bio-nanomaterial were assessed against human breast cancer cells over MCF-7 cell line. The % toxicity profile against the material load demonstrated a dose dependent increase graph. This outcome is anticipated due to excellent ROS generation ability along with the contribution from chitosan secondary metabolites. The related IC₅₀ value was determined to be 269 μg/mL and was benign to the normal cells. Importance of this research lies beneath the fact, this is the first report of Ag NP doped functionalized magnetic carbon nanotube towards the C[sbnd]H activation type of reaction for the one-pot synthesis of diverse propargylamines and also showed significant anti-breast cancer potential against corresponding cell line, studied in vitro.