Synthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial activity of nano sized hematite (α-Fe2O3) using bio and organic templates

Hematite nanoparticles were synthesised by chemical co-precipitation method using biomaterials, DNA and STARCH as templates. Structural characterisation was carried out using XRD. The samples were also characterised by TEM. Colour changes are observed in the samples with variation of templates. The hematite nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity against some bacterial species. Antimicrobial test showed the inhibition against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri and Candida albicans with significant antagonistic activity. The results were also compared with hematite nanoparticles prepared using organic templates (EDTA and CTAB) and found some significant changes in many aspects.