Synthesis, characterization, magnetic and antimicrobial properties of silver chromite nanoparticles

A novel nanostructured silver chromite with the chemical formula Ag₂Cr₂O₄ was synthesized at 400 °C by simple, cost effective, flash auto-combustion method. The average crystallite size was found to be 76.6 nm by crystallographic study of X-ray analysis (XRD) which also showed single-phase formation with spinel cubic structure. The formation of the sample was assured by measuring the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and the elemental study using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurement. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and the atomic force microscopy (AFM) were studied which showed a spherical interlinked behavior with aggregations of the grains. The M–H curve showed an exchange bias which gave a slight horizontal shift in the curve. The obtained data extracted from the magnetic properties recommended the suitability of Ag₂Cr₂O₄ nanoparticles to be applied in information storage devices, MRAM, and sensor devices. Moreover, this is the first study to synthesize and analyze the characterization and antimicrobial properties of Ag₂Cr₂O₄ nanoparticles at 400 °C. A fascinating behavior appeared by studying the antimicrobial properties which gave a strong antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and B. subtilis (G +) and also against P. aeruginosa (G −) bacterial species. Also, it gave a strong antifungal efficacy against A. flavus (Aspergillus) and C. albicans (Candida) fungal species. Thus, Ag₂Cr₂O₄ nanoparticles at 400 °C could be an attractive and an alternative antifungal and antibacterial nanomaterial that open new paths for new alternative nanomaterial chemotherapy against different bacteria and fungi.