(1-x)BaFe12O19/ xCoFe(2)O(4) hard/soft magnetic nanocomposites: Synthesis, physical characterization, and antibacterial activities study
Abstract
In the current study, nanocomposites of (1-x)BaFe12O19/xCoFe(2)O(4) (x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) were prepared via sal-gel method. Their structural and magnetic properties were chracterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The hexagonal structure of BaFe12O19 and cubic spinel structure of CoFe2O4 confirmed by XRD technique. XRD technique showed that the average crystallite sizes of the nano-composites were in the range of similar to 71-91 nm. SEM showed uniform particle size of the nanoparticles. Saturation Magnetization (M-s) of nanocomposites increased from 49.94 to 52.10 emu/g and their magnetic coercivity (H-c) decreased from 2823.17 to 1955.31 Oe as concentration of CoFe2O4 increased from x = 0.3 to 0.7.
Antimicrobial activity of BaFe12O19/CoFe2O4 nanocomposites was studied against bacterial and fungal pathogens including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum. Acceptable antibacterial effects and excellent antifungal activities were observed with nanocomposites.