Antibacterial activity of nickel and magnesium substituted ferrite nanoparticles synthesized via self-combustion method

Abstract

Due to finite size effects and high surface to volume ratio, magnetic nanoparticles exhibit different properties than those found in the corresponding bulk material. There is a great need for synthesising nanoparticles using non-toxic, cheap and eco-friendly precursors. Plant extracts and animal by products can be used to synthesize nanoparticles as they are a source of variety of metabolites, which can act as fuels, capping agents, reducing agents and stabilizing or chelating agents for capturing metal ions. Substituting a transition metal into a spinel ferrite has been observed to enhance optical, electrical, magnetic and antibacterial activities of pure ferrites. In this present work, NiFe2O4 and MgFe2O4 nanoparticles are synthesized through self-combustion method using egg white. The structural, morphological and elemental composition and magnetic properties of the samples were analysed using PXRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX technique. The bactericidal effect of nickel and magnesium substituted ferrite particles were qualitatively measured by performing agar diffusion test and liquid broth methods. PXRD pattern confirm the single phase cubic spinel structure of the synthesized particles with size varying from 21 to 27 nm. The FTIR spectra confirm the spinel structure and the functional groups present. From the FESEM analysis it is found that there is considerable degree of agglomeration in the samples. The presence of Ni, Mg, Fe and O without precipitating cations is confirmed from EDX data. The presence of magnesium controls the growth of P.aeruginosa while presence of nickel controls the growth of B. substilis.