Polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan-coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for catalytic and antimicrobial activity with molecular docking analysis

This work presents the synthesis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and chitosan (CS) coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) by co-precipitation technique. The objective of this research was to investigate the catalytic, antibacterial efficacy with evidential molecular docking analysis of CS/PVP- Fe3O4 and PVP/CS- Fe3O4. The coating of PVP and CS reduced the particle size of Fe3O4, providing a large surface area that increased catalytic and antibacterial potency. These binary coated magnetite NPs used as ideal catalytic agent for the reduction of rhodamine B dye as well as antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli. The findings of a molecular docking investigation were in reasonable accord with in vitro microbicidal activity and revealed that CS-Fe3O4, Fe3O4-doped PVP and CS are promising inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductaseE. Coli (DHFR) and DNA gyraseE. Coli. •The bactericidal potential of material and degradation of organic dyes was studied.•CS/PVP-Fe3O4 and PVP/CS-Fe3O4 were effectively prepared.•TEM images exhibited the formation Fe3O4.•The coating of PVP and CS reduced the particle size of Fe3O4.