Fe3O4@SiO2 Core–Shell Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization Prepared by Green Method for Iraqi Aloe Vera Extract

Abstract

In this work, a green approach was used to create Fe3O4 nanoparticles. After that, ferrous chloride tetrahydrate and ferric chloride hexahydrate solutions were mixed with various quantities of Iraqi Aloe Vera gel and sodium hydroxide solution to achieve pH(8). Then, in the scale synthesis of silica-coated iron oxide NPs utilizing nontoxic and low-cost materials, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was employed as a precursor to silica. (UV–Vis), FT-IR, XRD, AFM, EDS, TEM, Zeta Potential, VSM, FESEM and VSM were used to characterize the as-prepared silica-coated (Fe3O4@SiO2 CSNPs) and Fe3O4 NPs. UV–Vis exhibits an absorption band in the ultraviolet region at approximately 300 nm in Fe3O4NPs and 310[Formula: see text]nm in Fe3O4@SiO2 CSNPs, this means red shift occurs successively. Results of (XRD) and (EDS) analyses demonstrate that magnetite nanoparticles were effectively coated using this easy process. FESEM and TEM measurements demonstrate that the particle size of iron oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide NPs CSNPs increases before and after coating with spherical particles in form. AFM evaluates surface tension and surface energy. It is found that the surface roughness of magnetite nanoparticles NPs is 49.31[Formula: see text]nm and root mean square (RMS) is 319.8[Formula: see text]nm, whereas in core–shell it is 25.45[Formula: see text]nm and 166.7[Formula: see text]nm, respectively, it was raised in the case of the core–shell. This means decrease in particle size. Magnetic properties from (VSM) test demonstrate that the magnetization of the as-synthesized TEOS-coated magnetite NPs is lower than that of freshly created bare magnetite NPs, demonstrating the formation of Fe3O4@SiO2 CSNPs. The stability was around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mV, and the addition of magnetic and optical features improved their biocompatibility. The antibacterial activity of Fe3O4 NPs and Fe3O4@SiO2 CSNPs was investigated using the agar well diffusion method agains t Staphylococcus aureus Gram-positive and Escherichia coli Gram-negative bacteria, which exhibited a wide spectrum of antibacterial potency inhibiting the growth of both Gram-negative (8[Formula: see text]mm, 10[Formula: see text]mm) and Gram-positive (7[Formula: see text]mm, 12[Formula: see text]mm), respectively.