Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Copper Ferrites by Electrochemical Techniques for Toxic Gas Sensing, Li Ion Battery and Medical Applications

Abstract

Nanocrystalline spinel copper ferrite CuFe 2 O 4 thin film has been studied and synthesized via the electrodeposition-anodization process. Electrodeposited CuFe 2 alloys were obtained from aqueous sulphate bath. The formed alloys were electro oxidized (anodized) in aqueous (1 M KOH) solution, at room temperature, to the corresponding hydroxides. The anodized CuFe 2 alloy films were annealed in air at 400 0 C for 2 h. The parameters controlling of the electrodeposition of CuFe 2 alloys such as the bath temperature, agitation and the current density were studied and optimized. The crystal structure, crystal size and microstructure of the produced ferrites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD shows that CuFe 2 O 4 had a spinel structure and the crystallite size of CuFe 2 O 4 phase was 2 nm. SEM micrograph of the formed ferrite particles shows agglomeration structure morphology with a narrow distribution of the particles.