PEG Capped Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄ Nanocomposites: Microstructural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic, Antimicrobial, and Photodegradable Properties

Abstract: Magnetic ferrite nanoparticles, particularly cobalt ferrite as well as its nanocomposites, have received huge attention from researchers recently owing to their exceptional properties that enhance their industrial and biomedical applications. In this study, polyethylene glycol capped nickel cobalt ferrite nanocomposites were fabricated via hydrothermal method. The physicochemical properties were confirmed by various advanced characterization techniques involving X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, UV–visible spectrophotometry, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The capped nanoparticles were found to be of 20.2 nm size. The formulated nanoparticles were tested against different bacterial and fungal strains showing moderate results. Moreover, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of nanoparticles were evaluated. The samples revealed significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activities in polyethylene glycol capped nanocomposites. In the context of applicability in environmental remediation, photodegradation property of nanocomposites was elucidated against crystal violet dye. The results indicated significant enhancement of photodegradation due to the addition of polyethylene glycol. Hence, an overall increase in biomedical and photodegradative behavior of polyethylene glycol capped nickel cobalt ferrite nanocomposites was observed in our study. Highlights: • Hydrothermal method is employed in the synthesis of PEG- Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄. • PEG influences the optical, magnetic, structural, and morphological properties of PEG- Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄. • Significant antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of PEG- Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄ are obtained. • Photodegradation of crystal violet dye by PEG- Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄ is presented.