Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sensing Capability of NixCu1−xFe2O4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) Nanostructures Prepared via Sol–Gel Method

Abstract

A series of nanocrystalline nickel-copper ferrites having chemical composition NixCu1−xFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) has been synthesized via sol–gel method to investigate their surface morphological, nanostructural, optical and thermal properties. The synthesized nanostructures have been fabricated by spin coating method in order to examine the potential applicability of the films for the leakage detection of harmful gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and carbon dioxide gas. The leakage detection of the gases has been tested at room temperature (25 °C) as it provides good life time and stability to the sensor without any power consumption. The effect of various compositions of nanostructured nickel-copper ferrites on the gas sensing properties (sensitivity, reproducibility, stability, and response and recovery times) has been investigated in detail in order to examine the capability of the investigated sensor for leakage detection of the gases. The best LPG sensing performance has been observed for nanostructured Ni0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4 thin film as evinced by high value of sensitivity and stability as well as small value of response and recovery times.