Multiferroic properties of GdFe0.9M0.1O3 (M = Ag1+, Co2+ and Cr3+) nanoparticles and evaluation of their antibacterial activity

Abstract

AbstractMultifunctional nanoparticles NPs with material composition GdFe0.9M0.1O3; M = Ag, Co, and Cr have successfully been synthesized using the citrate auto-combustion technique. The single phase of the orthorhombic perovskite structure is ratified from the XRD data. The structural, magnetic, and thermoelectric power of the samples along with the results of antibacterial activities are reported in the present manuscript. The variation in the magnetization is argued in view of the strength and type of exchange interaction as well as buckling of the < BO6 > octahedron. The super exchange interaction between the Fe–O–Fe and the Cr–O–Cr and the randomness of Cr ions in the host lattice site are the main reasons behind the weak ferromagnetism obtained from GdFe0.9Cr0.1O3. Ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism have a dissimilar origin and appear independently. The origin of antiferromagnetism is the spin canting of the B ions. However, the origin of the ferroelectric properties is the hybridization between B cations and O2− anion. The use of silver metal particles as antibacterial agents is noteworthy due to their advantages in terms of chemical stability, efficacy and long-term durability. These advantages can be extended by considering the relatively low toxicity of these particles to the human body compared to other inorganic metals.