Superoxide dismutase mimic activity of spinel ferrite $${\hbox {MFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}$$ MFe 2 O 4 ( $$\hbox {M} = \hbox {Mn}$$ M = Mn , Co and Cu) nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present study, superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic activity of ferrite nanoparticles (NPs), having a formula \({\hbox {MFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\) (\(\hbox {M} = \hbox {Mn}\), Co and Cu) was investigated. Spinel ferrite NPs were synthesized by employing sol–gel methodology and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. BET analysis revealed that the surface area of ferrite NPs ranged from \(0.43{-}23.49 \, {\hbox {m}}^{2} \, {\hbox {g}}^{-1}\). Enzyme mimic activity was compared using SOD as a model enzyme. \({\hbox {CuFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\, \hbox {NPs}\) exhibited a maximum activity followed by \({\hbox {CoFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\) and \({\hbox {MnFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\, \hbox {NPs}\). The results were correlated with a facile interconversion of the oxidation state leading to a stable electronic configuration in \({\hbox {CuFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\, \hbox {NPs}\). Optimum pH and contact time was 1 and 3 min respectively. Kinetic studies were performed under optimum conditions and data were analysed using the Michaelis Menten equation. The values of \(V_{\mathrm{max}} \, (0.77 \, {\hbox {s}}^{-1})\) and \(K_{\mathrm{m}}\) (4.20 mM) proved \({\hbox {CuFe}}_{2} {\hbox {O}}_{4}\, \hbox {NPs}\) as potential SOD mimic for a wide range of applications.