Magnetic Properties of Melanin Doped with Copper Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, the analysis of XRD patterns reveals that both natural melanin and copper oxide-doped melanin exhibit amorphous structures. The absence of new peaks for Cu2O confirms that the copper oxide nanoparticles are effectively integrated into the melanin matrix. Utilizing Scherrer’s equation, we calculated the crystallite size, which increased from 2.02 nm for natural melanin to 3.01 nm after doping, suggesting a significant influence of copper ions on melanin structure. Additionally, the VSM measurements demonstrate a shift from ferromagnetic behavior in the natural melanin to paramagnetism in the doped samples, highlighting the impact of copper oxide on the magnetic properties of melanin. These findings provide valuable insights into the biological and functional transformations of natural melanin, furthering our understanding of its role in various medical applications.

Keywords

• natural melanin
• nanocomposites
• paramagnetism
• copper oxide-doped melanin