Effects of the Annealing Temperature on the Structure Evolution and Antifungal Performance of TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposites Manufactured from Natural Sand

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of annealing temperature on the structure evolution and antifungal performance of TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were fabricated through a combination of sonochemical and coprecipitation routes. The TiO2 structure evolved from an amorphous phase to a crystalline anatase phase starting at an annealing temperature of [Formula: see text]C while Fe3O4 evolved to [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 and [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 starting at an annealing temperature of [Formula: see text]C. The increases in the crystallite sizes and lattice parameters were also identified because of the increase in the annealing temperature. The TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites tended to agglomerate due to van der Waals forces. The molecular structural dynamics of TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were also studied by infrared spectroscopy within the wavenumber range of 400–4000[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. The antifungal activity of TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites was better than those of individual TiO2 and Fe3O4. These results showed that structure evolution plays an essential role in the antifungal performance of TiO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites.

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“…The diffraction pattern obtained for the synthesized nanomaghemite γ-Fe 2 O 3 shows diffraction peaks with 2θ = 31.85° (220); 35.63° (311); 45.54° (400); 49.52° (422); 54.21° (511); 56.66° (440); 72.9° (620); and 75.41° (533). These observed diffraction peaks can be associated with the cubic spinel structure, and all peaks are in good agreement with the diffraction patterns of the γ-Fe 2 O 3 phase (JCPDS card 39–1346), which also corresponds to those of maghemite γ-Fe 2 O 3 particles in the literature. , …”

“…These observed diffraction peaks can be associated with the cubic spinel structure, and all peaks are in good agreement with the diffraction patterns of the γ-Fe 2 O 3 phase (JCPDS card 39–1346), which also corresponds to those of maghemite γ-Fe 2 O 3 particles in the literature. 30 , 31 …”

“…The peak at 2θ = 54.19 (311), which is the most characteristic peak of Fe 2 O 3 , 31 was chosen to calculate D , and the size of the synthesized Nps was found to be 15 nm.…”

“…The peak at 2θ = 54.19 (311), which is the most characteristic peak of Fe 2 O 3 , 31 was chosen to calculate D, and the size of the synthesized Nps was found to be 15 nm. As a result, it is apparent that it is similar to the shape reported for C− Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 nanoclusters used as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.…”

“…These observed diffraction peaks can be associated with the cubic spinel structure, and all peaks are in good agreement with the diffraction patterns of the γ-Fe 2 O 3 phase (JCPDS card 39−1346), which also corresponds to those of maghemite γ-Fe 2 O 3 particles in the literature. 30,31 A comparison of the XRD patterns of TiO 2 , γ-Fe 2 O 3 Np, and γ-Fe 2 O 3 Np/TiO 2 composites is given in Figure 4. The phase of TiO 2 was characterized by peaks at 2θ = 25, 38, 48, 54, 55, and 63°, indexed to the anatase (JCPDS No.…”