AgZnFe₂O₃ quaternary alloy: Synthesis, analysis and characterization for potential antibacterial application

Abstract

The AgZnFe₂O₃ quaternary alloy nanostructure is successfully synthesized using a cost-effective and environmentally friendly chemical co-precipitation method. The morphology is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed uniformly distributed nanograins with an average grain size of 52.02 nm. Optical properties are examined using UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The bandgap energy is determined to be 3.15 eV, while the absorption spectra indicate minimal absorption, suggesting higher transmission and reflection. Empirical models are applied to validate the dielectric constant and refractive index, with the Ghosh et al. model found to be the most suitable. FTIR analysis confirms weak absorption bands and characteristic stretching vibrations, further supporting the material’s structural stability. Importantly, the synthesized AgZnFe₂O₃ nanostructure demonstrates promising antibacterial potential against antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, highlighting its suitability for biomedical and therapeutic applications.