Magnetic and Antibacterial Studies of Nanoferrites Prepared by Self Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis Route

Abstract The main objective of the manuscript is the structural analysis, magnetic investigation and antimicrobial activity of Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 with stoichiometry (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0). The Mn-Zn nanoferrites were synthesized by self propagating high-temperature synthesis using a mixture of fuels. The synthesized Mn-Zn nanoferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) that confirms cubic crystal structure with lattice constant in the range 8.372-8.432Ao. It is observed that saturation magnetization (Ms), remanence magnetization (Mr) and magneton number (Mr/Ms) decreased gradually with the increasing of Zn2+ concentration. The decrease in the saturation magnetization may be explained as, the Zn2+ concentration increases, the relative number of ferric ions on the A sites diminishes and this reduces the A–B interaction. Further, the synthesized Mn-Zn nanoferrites were tested for antibacterial activities against two-gram positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC No–12598, Lactobacillus amylovorus ATCC No– 12598), gram-negative strains E.coli ATCC No – 25922, Pseudomonas- ATCC No- 25619) and one fungal strain (C.albicans -ATCC No – 2091).