Effect of Ag doping on DC electrical resistivity, thermoelectrical power, VSM analysis and antimicrobial activity of copper-zinc nano-ferrites.

Silver-doped Cu–Zn nano-ferrites with composition Cu_0.6Zn_0.4Ag_xFe_2-xO₄ (where x = 0, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02 and 0.025) were successfully prepared via co-precipitation technique. The presence of allowed planes in X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the formation of cubic spinel structure. The appearance of two major absorption bands in Fourier transform infrared spectra supports the creation of spinel ferrites. The lattice parameter and crystallite size of Cu–Zn nano-ferrites show nonlinear behavior with Ag doping. The grain size of the Cu–Zn nano-ferrites is found to be increased with increasing Ag³⁺ concentration. The achievement of required stoichiometric nano-ferrites was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. No any notable tendency was observed in elastic moduli of Cu–Zn nano-ferrites with Ag doping. It is observed that the thermal energy required for conversion of p-type to n-type semiconducting behavior of Cu–Zn nano-ferrites extends with increasing Ag doping, except x = 0.025 composition. DC resistivity study shows metal–semiconductor behavior of Ag-doped Cu–Zn ferrites. The saturation magnetization of Cu_0.6Zn_0.4Ag_0.025Fe_1.975O₄ is very much higher as compared to other compositions. Antimicrobial study shows that inhibitory zone of Cu–Zn nano-ferrites increases with increasing silver doping. Due to higher saturation magnetization and improved antimicrobial activity, Cu_0.6Zn_0.4Ag_0.025Fe_1.975O₄ is applicable in industrial as well as medical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]