Facile synthesis and potential application of Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 and Ni0.6Zn0.2Ce0.2Fe2O4 magnetic nanocubes as a new strategy in sewage treatment

Disinfection using chlorine has paramount importance in the treatment of either drinking water or sewage since it can kill and inhibit all waterborne pathogens, but it may result in carcinogenic substances when interacting with organic matter. An eco-friendly sol-gel process with citrate was used to prepare the nano-cubic activated nickel-zinc ferrite magnetic nanostructures (Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 and Ni0.6Zn0.2Ce0.2Fe2O4). The activated nanomagnetic samples were characterized using XRD, HR-TEM, HR-SEM, FTIR, and VSM techniques. The structural and magnetic results showed that the nano-cubes magnetic-structures exhibited higher crystalline degrees and an increase in the total magnetization, enabling spinel nano-ferrite to possess potentials for excellent industry various applications. Likewise, the VSM results reveal that Ce2O3 had a significant influence on the magnetic behavior such as the coercivity (Hc; 69.226–133.15) saturation and magnetization (Ms; 24.562–52.174). The results revealed that all Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) had an outstanding inhibitory effect on microbes tested. The manufactured particles showed a remarkable ability to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in real sewage samples. The results obtained endorsed that the manufactured magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are powerful nano-weapons with an excellent anticipated output for the deactivation of pathogenic microbes during sewage treatment, with, nickel-zinc-cerium ferrite being more effective in inhibiting microbial growth than nickel-zinc-cerium ferrite. [Display omitted] •Chlorine, as a conventional disinfectant, generates by-products that could be harmful to health.•Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 and Ni0.6Zn0.2Ce0.2Fe2O4 spinal magnetic nanocubes were fabricated.•The nanocubes are considered as potent antimicrobial against a wide spectrum from bacterial and fungal species.•The nanocubes can entirely eradicate some waterborne pathogenic bacteria in real sewage.•The nanocubes are considered an affordable, reusable, stable and, and biocompatible. It also is suitable alternatives to chlorine for sewage disinfection.