Investigation of Structural and Microbial Properties of Samarium-Doped Nickel-Strontium Ferrite Nanoparticles Prepared via the Sol-Gel Route

Nickel and samarium-doped strontium ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. The micro-structural characteristics of the ferrite were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). It was determined that the particle size ranged from 30 to 60 nm, which was confirmed by TEM as well. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) revealed a strong magnetization with paramagnetic behaviour, and the existence of all elements was verified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). According to the BET adsorption isotherm, total surface area ranges from 13.77 to 28.49 m(2) g(-1). At P/Po (0.99), the total pore volume ranges from 0.02 to 0.04 cm(3) g(-1). The average pore width ranged from 3.5 to 6.5 nm, and the isotherm demonstrates type III with an H-3 hysteresis loop. The material shows 84% thermal stability and these synthesized nanoparticles are showing activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. These synthesized nanoparticles are showing activity against both Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungal pathogens, indicating broad-spectrum activity against microbial pathogens. The increased concentration of compound (0.1) showed antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens, which was measured as the zone of growth inhibition in diameter (mm) and compared with the standard antibiotics, streptomycin and clotrimazole.