The effect of Zn doping on thermal properties and antimicrobial of ZnxFe2-xO3nanoparticles

Abstract

As a natural material, iron oxides can be applied and advanced across disciplines, such as industrial, medical, and technological fields. Among various kinds of iron oxides material, there is hematite. In this research, Zn doping on hematite has been successfully executed through a co-precipitation method. Mass variation (0.1 and 0.3 g) was also completed to construe the hematite characteristics through sample characterization using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Magneto-thermal instrument, and antimicrobial bacteria testing. Those tests were conducted to 1) see the structural pattern, particle size, and the effect of Zn doping on the crystal structure of the sample, 2) know the functional group of the sample, 3) know the thermal pattern, and 4) see the thermal-activity of the sample. By using XRD data analysis, 5 and 60 nm grains sized of ZnxFe2-xO3 nanoparticles were obtained for Zn mass of 0.1 and 0.3 g, respectively. The result of the magneto-thermal test exhibited a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.017 and 1.075 W/g for 0.1 and 0.3 g Zn, respectively. Besides, there was a stronger zone of inhibition of ZnxFe2-xO3 particle with 0.1 and 0.3 g Zn doping applied over E. Coli (~13 and 10 mm) rather than applied to S. Aureus (~7 and 6 mm). Thus, hematite with Zn doping has a potential as the candidate for anti-bacterial agents, particularly for the 0.1 g Zn doping composition.