Magnetic and antimicrobial properties of cobalt‐zinc ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by citrate‐gel method

Abstract

AbstractThe cobalt‐zinc ferrite (CZF) nanomaterials were prepared by citrate‐gel method, and further calcined at 600°C. The single‐phase cubic spinel structure of CZF was confirmed using the X‐ray diffraction pattern. The average crystallite size was found to be in the range of 22‐29 nm. The surface morphology was examined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average particle size of Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 was determined to be 19 nm using TEM study which is supporting the average crystallite size measured from the X‐ray diffraction studies. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectra revealed the two strong absorption bands in the series of ferrites between 4500 and 500 cm−1 and these are responsible for the characteristic of spinel ferrites. The presence of elements Cu, Zn, and Co of CZF was confirmed by the elemental spectral signals of energy dispersive spectroscopy. At room temperature, the magnetic measurements of pure ZnFe2O4 and Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 were evaluated based on hysteresis curves (M‐H curves). The results expressed that the addition of nonmagnetic Zn2+ ions increases the magnetic behavior in the mixed CZF samples. The antimicrobial activity of the ZnFe2O4 and Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nanoferrites was tested against harmful microbes.