Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant properties of (Ag–NiO) nanocomposite using alternating magnetic field technique

In this study, a silver–nickel oxide (Ag–NiO) nanocomposite was synthesized using a chemical reduction method involving nickel chloride, sodium hydroxide, ethylene glycol, silver nitrate, PVP, and hydrazine. The formation of NiO nanoparticles was indicated by a color change upon heating, followed by silver incorporation to yield the final Ag–NiO nanocomposite. Structural, morphological, and magnetic characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline structure with Ag peaks consistent with cubic phase (JCPDS No. 87-0719) and revealed crystallite sizes between 18 and 26 nm. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) using the agar well diffusion method and cellular material release assay, demonstrating effective bacterial inhibition and membrane disruption. Antioxidant capacity was assessed via the DPPH assay, with the nanocomposite showing significant free radical scavenging activity. These findings suggest that the Ag–NiO nanocomposite possesses promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, with potential applications in biomedical and environmental fields.