Thermal behavior, magnetic and antimicrobial properties of PbS–CdO nanocomposite synthesized by a simple soft chemical route

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis of undoped PbS and PbS–CdO nanocomposites by a simple soft chemical route. The thermal behavior, structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and antimicrobial properties of the synthesized samples was studied and the results are reported in this paper. The undoped PbS and PbS–CdO nanocomposite exhibit polycrystalline nature with cubic crystal structure. The crystallite size values of the PbS and PbS–CdO nanocomposites estimated using Scherrer formula were found to be equal to 24.96 and 21.89 nm respectively. TG-DTA analysis shows that the PbS–CdO nanocomposite becomes well crystallized above 400 °C. Peaks related to PbS and CdO were observed in the FTIR spectra of the composite. Magnetic studies confirm that the PbS–CdO nanocomposite exhibit ferromagnetic ordering in the form of S-shaped loop. Enhanced antibacterial and antifungal activities were observed for the PbS–CdO nanocomposite.