Gas sensing properties of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles prepared by spray co-precipitation method

CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by using spray co-precipitation method and annealed at 600°C. Crystal structure, microstructure and cation distribution of the sample were determined by applying of Rietveld refinement method based on synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. Morphology was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the sample is single phase with inverse cubic spinel structure. Particle size was identified to be about 10 nm. The gas-sensing properties of the copper nanoparticles were studied by using H₂S as the analytic gas. It was found that the sensor based on the CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles has good response in a large operating temperature range and even at near-room temperature. The gas sensing mechanism of the studied material was discussed in detailed. (author)