Biological synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

A low-cost green and reproducible yeast (<em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>) mediated biosynthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles is reported. The synthesis is performed at close to room temperature in the laboratory. X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses are performed to ascertain the formation of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. Individual nanoparticles, as well as a very few aggregate having the size of 3-15 nm, were found. The vibrating sample magnetometer measurement showed superparamagnetic behavior in cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. The mechanism involved in the biosynthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles has also been discussed.