Gas sensing properties of ZnFe[sub 2]O[sub 4] nanoparticles

Abstract

Gas sensing performance of ZnFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles towards various organic volatile compounds is investigated. A self-combustion of a citrate-gel precursor at ̃90 °C in ambient air followed by annealing at 400 °C for 2 h has been explored to prepare a single phase spinel ferrite powder containing granular nanoparticles of average 23 nm diameters. A powder compact measures chemiresistive sensitivity of 59, 51, and 67% for organic vapor-analytes methanol, ethanol, and acetone respectively of 200 ppm at 250 °C. Excellent sensitivity of the granular nanoparticles results due to a large surface area to volume ratio effect.