Synthesis and Characterization of Curcuma longa Mediated Cadmium Ferrite for Multifunctional Applications

Abstract

The cadmium ferrite nanoparticles (CdFe₂O₄ NPs) prepared by using curcuma longa extract provide hybrid, significant and more functional properties that are difficult to be provided by other ferrites in modern applications and anti-oxidant activities. A co-precipitation process has been adopted due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to produce uniformly sized NPs. The UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman techniques were all used to characterize such produced CdFe₂O₄ NPs. Usually, the CdFe2O4 NPs are functional in their morphology and optical behaviors so, here the SEM analysis reveals highly agglomerated, irregular but well-connected grains while the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy indicates the high absorption spectra at 618 nm particularly due to its electronic transitions and shifting of the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect. The XRD pattern indicates the high degree of crystallinity with its peak maxima at (220). All concerned atoms present in this structure were confirmed by EDX specifying the maximum amount of Cd in this ferrites NPs. Additionally, the vibrational modes and structural characteristics of CdFe₂O₄ NPs were investigated through FTIR spectroscopic analysis. Usually, water molecules absorb in ferrites structures but the identification of peaks corresponding to Fe-O bonds and hydroxyl groups confirms the spinel like structure. The Fe-O bond stretching also confirmed by Raman study which discuss about Fe-O forward stretching and back stretching due to active extract used. The CdFe2O4 NPs shows its demanding and well-defined applications in modern technology. The antioxidant activity, assessed via a spectrophotometric method using DPPH, demonstrated the nanoparticles' potential in biomedical applications because of their ability to donate hydrogen atoms or electrons at different concentrations. The CdFe₂O₄ nanoparticles showed strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and Xanthomonas sp. at 2 mg/disc, and moderate effects on B. subtilis and E. coli. In antifungal tests, A. niger had the highest growth reduction at 1 mg/disc, while Candida albicans showed the lowest at 0.5 mg/disc. The nanoparticles' concentration-dependent inhibition highlights their potential as effective antimicrobial and antifungal agents.