Dresden 2026 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

MA: Fachverband Magnetismus

MA 7: Poster Magnetism I

MA 7.22: Poster

Monday, March 9, 2026, 09:30–12:30, P2

Copper- and zinc-substituted nanocrystalline ferrites for biomedical applications — •Todor R. Karadimov, Milena T. Georgieva, and Petar A. Georgiev — Faculty of Physics, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Microelectronics, Sofia, 1164, Bulgaria

Worlwide concern of antibiotic resistance has prompted the research of novel, inorganic nanomaterials, effective against pathogens. Nanocrystalline copper- and copper/zinc-substituted ferrites were prepared under solvothermal synthesis conditions at temperatures up to 200^∘C. The samples’ crystalline phases, particle shape and size, and magnetic properties at ambient temperatures, were determined by powder x-ray diffraction, electron microscopies, and vibrating sample magnetometry, respectively. These revealed that the resultant Cu-modified ferrites consisted of agglomerates of nanocrystalline iron ferrite, Fe₃O₄, with metallic copper inclusions. In the zinc-substituted samples the resultant precipitate consisted of agglomerates of a superparamagnetic spinel phase, e.g. Zn_0.6Fe_0.4Fe₂O₄, with nano-crystalline copper particles spread within them. The zinc-substituted samples showed a maximum magnetization of 30 emu/g, which is significant for practical applications. Antimicrobial agar well tests against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 showed moderate activity of all investigated materials, correlating with the copper content and particle size. However, Daphnia magna toxicity tests indicated strong ecotoxicity, suggesting uncontrolled release in the environment should be avoided.

Keywords: nanomaterials; ferrites; magnetometry; antibiotics