Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) synthesized via a novel non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted electrolysis: Physicochemical characterization and cytocompatibility evaluation

[Display omitted] •IONPs were synthesized via a rapid and novel plasma-assisted electrolysis method.•The reactive plasma species involved in the synthesis were examined.•An extensive IONPs physicochemical characterization was done.•Data showed the dominant magnetite formation in the IONPs.•In vitro assays using fibroblasts validated the IONPs cytocompatibility. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized via a novel cold atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted electrolysis process. The impact of the operating power on the synthesis of IONPs was investigated. Using advanced analytical tools such as optical emission spectrometry and chemical dosimetry/spectroscopic analyses, the dynamic interplay of the reactive plasma species involved in nanoparticle synthesis was meticulously examined. Furthermore, the synthesized IONPs underwent comprehensive physicochemical characterizations using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM). A key finding was the coexistence of hematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) phases with a dominant magnetite formation within the IONPs that exhibited a spherical shape and excellent superparamagnetic behavior. Remarkably, the properties of IONPs depend on the specific applied power used during the synthesis process. In a pivotal step towards practical biomedical applications, the cytocompatibility of the synthesized IONPs was rigorously evaluated through in vitro analyses utilizing NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. The outcomes of these tests unequivocally affirmed the non-cytotoxicity of the IONPs, reinforcing their power for integration into the biomedical applications.