A new hybrid non-aqueous approach for the development of Co doped Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles for practical applications: Cation distribution, magnetic and antibacterial studies

Ni-Zn spinel nanoferrite with a composition Ni_0.6-xZn_0.4Co_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.00, 0.033, 0.066, 0.132, 0.264 and 0.528) was produced at a low reaction temperature using a novel hybrid direct non-aqueous approach that eliminates the need for a complexing agent and a precursor that adjusts pH. The developed Ni_0.567Zn_0.4Co_0.033Fe₂O₄ (x = 0.033), Ni_0.534Zn_0.4Co_0.066Fe₂O₄ (x = 0.066) and Ni_0.072Zn_0.4Co_0.528Fe₂O₄ (x = 0.528) nanoferrites attains the single-phase spinel cubic nano symmetry with a crystallite size of 54.91, 47.55, and 48.98 nm, respectively. Spherical shaped nanoparticles with aggregated behaviour were confirmed for the produced nanoferrites. XPS spectra of Ni_0.072Zn_0.4Co_0.528Fe₂O₄ nanoferrite confirms the detection of major photoemission peaks of Zn2p, Ni2p, Co2p, Fe2p, O1s, and C1s. According to the BET research investigation, Ni_0.072Zn_0.4Co_0.528Fe₂O₄ nanoferrite having specific surface area of 2.309 m²/g. The highest saturation magnetization and coercivity of 37.09 emu/g and 108.85 Oe was attained at higher doping content of cobalt (x = 0.528). With this nano crystalline nature and excellent magnetic factors, the developed nanoferrites are highly beneficial for the recording media applications to get the suitable signal to noise ratio and also, for multi-layer chip inductors (MLCIs). From the antibacterial investigation, it was observed that the produced Co doped Ni-Zn ferrites (x = 0.033, 0.264) shows high zone of inhibition (ZOI) for E. coli and Bacillus subtilis but the rest of the samples (x = 0.0, 0.066, 0.132, 0.528) shows no ZOI for both the bacterial strains. Therefore, the prepared Co doped Ni-Zn nanoferrites also works as superior antibacterial agent for biological application.