In this study, a novel multifunctional biofilm was fabricated using a straightforward casting process. The biofilm comprised gelatin, chitosan, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles, and polyvinyl alcohol plasticized with glycerol. The 5-FU-conjugated nanoparticles were synthesized via a single-step co-precipitation process, offering a unique approach. Characterization confirmed successful drug conjugation, revealing bar-shaped nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 90 to 100 nm. Drug release kinetics followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating controlled release behavior. Maximum swelling ratio studies of the gelatin–chitosan film showed pH-dependent characteristics, highlighting its versatility. Comprehensive analysis using SEM, FT-IR, Raman, and EDX spectra confirmed the presence of gelatin, chitosan, and 5-FU/ZnO nanoparticles within the biofilms. These biofilms exhibited non-cytotoxicity to human fibroblasts and significant anticancer activity against skin cancer cells, demonstrating their potential for biomedical applications. This versatility positions the 5-FU/ZnO-loaded sheets as promising candidates for localized topical patches in skin and oral cancer treatment, underscoring their practicality and adaptability for therapeutic applications.

The review focuses on recent developments towards preparing room temperature ferromagnetic metal oxide semiconductors for better photocatalytic performance. Here we reported the combined study of photocatalytic and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature on metal oxides, particularly TiO2, which is rapidly an emerging field in the development of magnetism and environmental remediation. Even after decades of research in this area, the exact mechanism of the combination of ferromagnetism and photocatalysis in these materials has been not understood completely. However, some of the critical factors were hinted about the contribution to magnetism. Many reports demonstrated that oxygen vacancy and various metal doping plays a primary role in the room temperature ferromagnetism and photocatalysis in wide-band-gap metal oxides. However, it is not easy to understand the direct correlation between magnetism, oxygen vacancies, dopant concentration, and photocatalysis. This review primarily aims to encompass the recent progress of metal oxide for understanding magnetism and photocatalyst under visible light.