Spinel ZnCr2O4 nanorods synthesized by facile sol-gel auto combustion method with biomedical properties.

Abstract

In this study, spinel zinc chromite nanorods (ZnCr2O4 NRs) were successfully manipulated by a simple sol-gel auto combustion process employing urea as fuel. The sample was only required to sinter at 500 °C for 2 h to obtain the single crystalline phase. The phase formation, crystallinity, and surface topography of synthesized ZnCr2O4 NRs were explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy (UVDRS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD analysis confirms the formation of spinel ZnCr2O4 NRs. The FTIR spectrum displays the two vibrational peaks of Cr-O, and Zn-O at 489 and 615 cm-1, correspondingly. These vibrational bonds were correlated with ZnCr2O4 and revealed the production of cubic spinel ZnCr2O4 NRs. FESEM indicates the presence of hexagonal-rod-shaped particles. EDX spectrum demonstrates the elemental composition of the ZnCr2O4 NRs and confirms the primary peak of Zn, Cr, and O. The obtained ZnCr2O4 NRs exhibit an antiferromagnetic behavior. The bandgap energy of ZnCr2O4 NRs was ascertained and was shown to be 3.45 eV. Furthermore, the antifungal and antibacterial effect of ZnCr2O4 NRs was examined against pathogenic strains by disc diffusion technique. Besides these, the antimalarial activity of ZnCr2O4 NRs was studied against Plasmodium falciparum. Thus, the as-synthesized ZnCr2O4 NRs showed significant antibacterial, antifungal and antimalarial activity and may be helpful for research opening a novel horizon in nanomedicine. Graphical abstract.