Investigating structural traits and their role in antibacterial properties of Mg0.94Fe0.06O nanoparticles

Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles doped with iron (Fe) have garnered significant attention due to their promising antibacterial properties and potential applications in various fields. In this study, we synthesized Mg₀.₉₄Fe₀.₀₆O nanoparticles using the sol-gel method and evaluated their structural, optical, and antibacterial properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a cubic MgO phase, with a decrease in crystallite size upon doping with Fe. The optical band gap (Eg) was found to be 3.96 eV, suggesting the material\'s suitability for photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli), showing a significant zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 20 mm, indicating their effective antimicrobial properties. The results suggest that the doping of Fe into MgO enhances its antibacterial efficiency, making these nanoparticles a promising candidate for biomedical and environmental applications.