Abstract
In the present study, Cr-substituted cobalt nanoferrites with composition, CrxCo(1−x)Fe2O4 (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.20), was prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion technique (SGACT). From the X-ray diffraction spectra, it was observed that the prepared samples up to 0.05 were phase pure. The FESEM images indicates the formation of polygonal shaped like grains, with an average grain size of 569 nm (x = 0.00), 721 nm (x = 0.10), and 694 nm (x = 0.20) respectively. According to magnetic research, the maximal saturation magnetization (Ms) is 78.90 emu/g. The coercivity (Hc) ranges from 619 to 887 Oe. These nanoferrites find application in data recording and EMI shielding due to its high saturation magnetization and coercivity. The Raman spectroscopy reveals the existence of crystals straining in unsubstituted and chromium substituted cobalt nanoferrites. The prepared nanoferrites were also tested for their antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) in which the substituted specimen (x = 0.2) shows the maximum zone of inhibition against E. Coli and S. aureus respectively.
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•XRD data indicates that the samples were phase pure up to x = 0.05.•Maximum Ms value was 77.8 emu/g in x = 0.00 sample.•Hc continuously decreases from 867 to 619 Oe with Cr2+ substitution.•Maximum antimicrobial activity was shown at x = 0.20.