Electrical, Dielectric, I-V, and Antimicrobial Behavior of Cobalt-Incapacitated Prussian Blue Graphene Ferrites Composite

Publication Details:
- Title: Electrical, Dielectric, I-V, and Antimicrobial Behavior of Cobalt-Incapacitated Prussian Blue Graphene Ferrites Composite
- Published In: Inorganic Chemistry Communications
- Date: May 2022
- Volume/Issue: 141(10):109548
- DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.109548

In the modern era, technological advancements heavily rely on energy sources that are cost-effective, reliable, and energy-efficient. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a novel material, cobalt-incapacitated Prussian blue graphene ferrites composite (CO-PBGF), using the Hummers method, coprecipitation method, and hydrothermal technique.

Material Characterization

  • X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD): Confirmed the successful formation of the composite material.
  • UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Analyzed the π–π* transitions, revealing their impact on the material's properties.
  • Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy: Investigated the crystallinity and delocalized electron movement between Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, CO, and Prussian blue nanoparticles.

Dielectric and Electrical Properties

  • Dielectric Constants: Real and imaginary components were used to calculate capacitance and energy dissipation.
  • Grain Boundaries: Exhibited high resistivity at lower frequencies, requiring significant energy for charge transfer between grains.
  • AC Conductivity: Showed an increasing trend with applied frequency.
  • Impedance Spectroscopy: Characterized the interfaces of conducting electrodes, highlighting both electronic and ionic conduction.
  • I-V Behavior: Using the four-probe method, the electrical conductivity was analyzed. At 20 V, a current of 6 × 10⁻⁴ A was observed, demonstrating the material's conductive behavior.

Antimicrobial Activity

The antimicrobial properties of the composite were evaluated. While graphene oxide (GO) exhibited a small inhibition zone, CO-PBGF demonstrated a significantly higher inhibition zone, confirming its superior antibacterial activity compared to GO.

This research highlights the potential of CO-PBGF as a multifunctional material with promising applications in energy storage, electronics, and antimicrobial technologies.