Low-temperature microwave-assisted synthesis and antifungal activity of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticle ferrite with chemical formula CoFe₂O₄ was prepared from the Co (II) and Fe (III) 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-coumarin metal complexes by solution based one-pot microwave assisted technique. Single phase structure of CoFe₂O₄ ferrites nanoparticles was confirmed using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) showed that the particle size of the samples in the range of (15 nm). The hysteresis studies showed ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature. The antifungal activity of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticle was investigated against A.flavus and  A. niger by employing disc diffusion method. According to the results obtained, CoFe₂O₄ is a potential material for antifungal diseases. The CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles could be readily separated from water solution after the disinfection process by applying an external magnetic field.