Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-Coated Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Chitosan-coated cobalt ferrites were synthesized by wet ferritization method through two different approaches. The nanostructured chitosan-coated cobalt ferrites were characterized by: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HR-TEM), thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of CoFe 2 O 4 cubic spinel structure with an average crystallite size of 1.75 and 5.5 nm, respectively. Mössbauer spectra consist in a central quadrupole pattern. The deconvolution in the hypothesis of Lorentzian line shape evidences the prevailing presence of Fe 3+ ions at the nanoparticle surface. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan-coated cobalt ferrites against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal strains was investigated. Based on the results, chitosan-coated cobalt ferrites are thought to be suitable candidates for the development of novel anti-biofilm agents.