Structural and H₂S Sensing Properties of Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles Prepared Through Hydrothermal Method.

In this paper, we report the H₂S sensing properties of partially inverse copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 16 nm to few hundreds of nanometers prepared through hydrothermal method. Effects of annealing temperature on the particle size, microstructure and gas-sensing properties of spinel ferrite were studied through scanning electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and resistance measurement. Electrical conduction mechanism is discussed based on the cation distribution in the lattice and resistance contribution from the grain boundaries. Gas sensing ability of the samples was recognized for H₂S concentrations from 5 down to 0.5 ppm and in working temperature range from 50 to 250 °C.