Structural and Magnetic Properties of Biogenic Nanomaterials Synthesized by <i>Desulfovibrio</i> sp. Strain A2

This study explores the phase composition, local atomic structure, and magnetic properties of biogenic nanomaterials synthesized through microbially mediated biomineralization by the sulfate-reducing bacterium <i>Desulfovibrio</i> species strain A2 (<i>Cupidesulfovibrio</i>)....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mikhail S. Platunov, Yuriy V. Knyazev, Olga P. Ikkert, Olga V. Karnachuk, Anton D. Nikolenko, Roman D. Svetogorov, Evgeny V. Khramov, Mikhail N. Volochaev, Andrey A. Dubrovskiy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Inorganics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/13/2/34
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Summary:This study explores the phase composition, local atomic structure, and magnetic properties of biogenic nanomaterials synthesized through microbially mediated biomineralization by the sulfate-reducing bacterium <i>Desulfovibrio</i> species strain A2 (<i>Cupidesulfovibrio</i>). Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements, we identified a mixture of vivianite (Fe<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>·8H<sub>2</sub>O) and sulfur-containing crystalline phases (α-sulfur). XRD analysis confirmed that the vivianite phase, with a monoclinic I2/m structure, constitutes 44% of the sample, while sulfur-containing phases (α-sulfur, Fddd) account for 56%, likely as a result of bacterial sulfate-reducing activity. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and EXAFS revealed the presence of multiple sulfur oxidation states, including elemental sulfur and sulfate (S<sup>6+</sup>), underscoring the role of sulfur in the sample’s structure. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified the presence of ferrihydrite nanoparticles with a blocking temperature of approximately 45 K. Magnetic measurements revealed significant coercivity (~2 kOe) at 4.2 K, attributed to the blocked ferrihydrite nanoparticles. The results provide new insights into the structural and magnetic properties of these microbially mediated biogenic nanomaterials, highlighting their potential applications in magnetic-based technologies.
ISSN:2304-6740