Synthesis and characterization of zinc ferrite nanoparticles using prunus dulcis (almond gum) for antibacterial applications

Abstract

ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesised by Sol-gel method, using zinc nitrate, ferric nitrate and almond gum (prunus dulcis). ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and it indicates that cubic structure with average crystalline size of 9.81 nm. Crystalline size and microstrain were analysed to using W-H (Williamson- Hall) analysis. Lorentz factor (LF), Lorentz polarization factor (LPF), stress- strain plot (SSP), morphological index(MI) and dislocation density write calculated based on the X-ray diffraction data of ZF NPs. From FTIR analysis the peaks confirms the presence of Zn and Fe metals. The SEM analysis shows the agglomeration with spherical nature of ZF nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity study reveals the zone of inhibition of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles which is used in pathogen gram positive bacteria and it shows the excellent antibacterial effect of ZF NPs. The VSM study shows the high saturation magnetization of prepared nanoparticles that were super-paramagnetism in nature and the zinc ferrite nano particles has soft magnetic properties. The magnetic saturation value of zinc ferrite NPs is found to be 0.1799 and the squareness ratio 0.2033.