Synthesis, Characterization and Effect of Precipitating Agent on the Antibacterial Properties of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized by co-precipitation method using three different precipitating agents, viz. ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and monoethanolamine. The average particle size of the nanoparticles varied in the range 17-70 nm by varying the precipitating agents. The phase formation of the synthesized nanoparticles was performed via X-ray diffraction. Fourier infrared spectroscopy also confirmed the product formation. The microstructure and elemental composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy respectively. The precipitating agents were varied to vary the size and to study the effect of size on the morphology and antibacterial properties. The effect of precipitating agents and particle size on the antibacterial activity was carried out against the microorganism Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive bacteria) quantitatively by spread plate method.