Biological synthesis, physico-chemical characterization of undoped and Co doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles using Tribulus terrestris leaf extract and its antidiabetic, antimicrobial applications

Abstract

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) were chemically and thermodynamically more stable among iron oxide nanoparticles. Doping of Co2+ metal ion in α-Fe2O3 can modify the structural, optical and magnetic properties of NPs and also enhances the potential of the biomedical applications. In the current study, undoped and Co doped hematite nanoparticles were synthesised by co-precipitation method using Tribulus terrestris L. leaf extract as bio-reductant. The magnetic, optical and structural investigations were studied with the help of Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) Spectroscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Spectroscopy. XRD analysis shows that synthesized nanoparticles were in hematite phase, rhombohedral in structure. XRD spectral pattern clearly evidenced that prepared α-Fe2O3 and Co-Fe2O3 NPs were highly crystalline with no impurity peaks. Using VSM spectra, the M-H curve indicates that saturation magnetisation (Ms) value increases for Co-Fe2O3 NPs than undoped α-Fe2O3 NPs, it can be clearly seen that doping largely affects the magnetic nature of nanoparticles. In the UV-Vis spectra, absorption maxima increases and band gap value decreases for cobalt doped hematite nanoparticles indicating the substitution of Fe2+ ions by Co2+ ions in α-Fe2O3 lattice sites. Antidiabetic and antimicrobial activity of the synthesized undoped and Co doped hematite NPs were tested by alpha-amylase inhibitory and disc diffusion method. The Co-Fe2O3 NPs have greatly inhibited the digestive enzyme and microbial strains as compared to undoped α-Fe2O3 NPs.