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This research aims to investigate the gas sensing behavior of nanocrystalline Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites for ammonia detection.

June 9, 2026Materials Chemistry and Physics0 citationsOpen Access

Nanocrystalline Ni-Cu-Zn Ferrites: High-Performance Ammonia Gas Sensors with Swift Response and Recovery

SGShudhodhan L. GaikwadSanskriti Samvardhan Mandal AMAnil B. MugutkarSanskriti Samvardhan Mandal NKNilkanth N. KapseMarathwada Agricultural University

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the gas sensing behavior of nanocrystalline Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites for ammonia detection.
Synthesis of Zn0.5Ni0.5-xCuxFe2O4 ferrites using a sol-gel route with varying Cu doping levels (x=0 to 0.5).
Structural characterization performed using X-ray diffraction to assess phase and lattice properties.
Gas sensing performance analyzed by measuring sensitivity, response, and recovery times.
The Ni-Cu-Zn gas sensor (x=0.4) achieved a sensitivity of 73% for ammonia detection.
Response and recovery times recorded were 54 seconds and 71 seconds, respectively.
Nanocrystals showed a particle size of 17-26 nm or 36-64 nm depending on the analysis method, indicating successful synthesis.

Abstract

: We report an all-inclusive account of the gas sensing behaviour of the nanocrystalline Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites formulated as Zn 0.5 Ni 0.5-x Cu x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0-0.5, keeping Δx = 0.1) synthesized by a sol-gel route. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction reveals the creation of a single spinel phase within the synthesized crystals. Cu doping up to x=0.4 caused an enhancement in the lattice parameter. However, increasing the doping concentration to x=0.5 introduce significant lattice imperfections, leading to a non-linear variation in the parameter. The particle size obtained from XRD data varies between 17-26 nm (Scherer method) and 36-64 nm (Williamson-Hall method). Porosity values ≥ 47% reveal the porous nature of the ferrites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis shows agglomerated nanocrystals, with sizes between 32 and 38 nm. The Ni-Cu-Zn gas sensor (x=0.4) demonstrates high sensitivity (73%) and swift response (54 s) as well as recovery (71 s) times for ammonia sensing. The sensor's ability to not only detect ammonia gas but also quantitatively analyze it with moderate response and recovery makes it a suitable option for ammonia gas sensing applications.

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