Simple synthesis of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles as gas-sensing materials

Semiconductive nanometer-size material CuFe2O4 was synthesized by a low-heating solid-state reaction of inorganic reagents of Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O, Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and NaOH. The process was a convenient, environment friendly, inexpensive and efficient preparation method for the CuFe2O4 nanomaterial. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the material structure and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to depict the crystallite microstructure. Conductance responses of the nanocrystalline CuFe2O4 thick film were measured by exposing the film to reducing gases of ammonia (NH3), acetone (CH3COCH3), hydrogen (H2) and ethanol gas (C2H5OH). It was found that the sensor exhibited various sensing responses to these gases at different operating temperatures. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited a fast response and a good recovery.