title: Antimicrobial function of Nd3+-doped anatase titania-coated nickel ferrite composite nanoparticles: a biomaterial system.
abstract: The present study describes and makes a relative comparison of the antimicrobial function of undoped and neodymium-doped titania coated-nickel ferrite composite nanoparticles processed by uniquely combining the reverse micelle and chemical hydrolysis approaches. This methodology facilitates the formation of undoped and doped photocatalytic titania shells and a magnetic ferrite core. The ferrite core is needed to help in the removal of particles from the sprayed surface using a small magnetic field. Doping of the titania shell with neodymium significantly enhances the photocatalytic and anti-microbial function of the core-shell composite nanoparticles without influencing the magnetic characteristics of the nickel ferrite core. The increased performance is believed to be related to the inhibition of electron-hole recombination and a decrease in the band gap energy of titania. The retention of magnetic strength ensures controlled movement of the composite nanoparticles by the magnetic field, facilitating their application as removable anti-microbial photocatalyst nanoparticles. The consistent behavior of the composite nanoparticles points to the viability of the synthesis process adopted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Structural and Functional Materials, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P.O. Box 44130, Lafayette, LA 70504-4130, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rawat
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sorensson
authors.forename: R D K
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Misra
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002384:Catalysis; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000187:drug effects; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009354:Neodymium / Q000737:chemistry*; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C001215:ferrite; C009495:titanium dioxide; D009354:Neodymium; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium