Unlocking antimicrobial activity of gamma irradiated iron-zinc nanoparticles

Abstract

Waterborne and foodborne diseases are generated by spoilage microorganisms with severe consequences for public health. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a way forward for their growth inhibition. In this contribution, iron-zinc (Fe-Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) were induced by gamma radiolysis as potential antimicrobial agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the formation of cubic iron oxide and hexagonal zinc oxide as mixed phases in accordance with microscopic observations. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) depicted the presence of Fe, Zn, and O within the sample. Photoluminescence (PL) revealed the existence of oxygen vacancies, which were consistent with the ferromagnetic behavior of the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Besides, the antimicrobial activity was more pronounced against Dekkera bruxellensis.