*Corresponding Author: Dr. Sarita Bhandari, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: saritabhandari1@gmail.com
Carbon-based nanomaterials have been widely developed into innovative antimicrobial agents due to their advantages of high surface-to-volume ratio, extremely high mechanical strength, and distinct physicochemical properties. Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ nanocatalysts are synthesized by a straightforward method and are known for their magnetic materials. Hematite iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃), a low cost, earth-abundant, and thermodynamically stable material with narrow band gaps, has been mostly used as a support for metal NPs to improve its catalytic performance. Nanoparticles (NPs) provide a new advancement for the prevention and treatment of dental infections.
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was synthesized through the thermal polymerization of melamine at 550 °C for 4 hours, producing a yellow powder characteristic of g-C₃N₄. Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O was stirred and mixed with 20% n-propyl amine in methanol, resulting in a brownish solution. After adding 0.1 M NaOH to the solution and stirring again, a pH meter was used to determine the pH of the resultant solution which reached 12. After that, the solution was heated at 90°C for 1 h in a two-necked glass pot and a dark brown solution was obtained. To separate the particles, the solution was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for up to 5 min and then washed with methanol, acetone, and ethanol and dried. To synthesize the Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite, the graphitic carbon nitride was dispersed in deionized water using ultrasonication, and Fe₂O₃ was added slowly with continuous stirring. The obtained suspension was aged, centrifuged, and washed with deionized water and ethanol to remove impurities. The final composite was dried at 60–80 °C and calcined at 400–500 °C for 3 hours. The resulting nanocomposite powder was collected for characterization and antimicrobial evaluation.
XRD shows diffraction peaks of the α-Fe₂O₃ phase (PDF2#00-033-0664). The characteristic Raman bands of the g-C₃N₄ phase were identified at 220, 262, 311, 350, 480, and 708 cm⁻¹. The hematite iron oxide was evaluated for antimicrobial activity and it showed a zone of inhibition against Streptococcus mutans and E. faecalis which makes it an effective antimicrobial agent.
Keywords: Antimicrobial agent, Ferric Compounds, Hematite iron oxide, Graphitic carbon nitride.
How to cite this article: Britina G, Bhandari S, Venkataiah VS. Synthesis, functional characterization and antibacterial activity of hematite–graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 756-763; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.92
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None