title: Nanocrystalline Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4: a novel semiconducting material for ethanol detection.
abstract: The structure and crystal phase of the nanocrystalline powders of Ni(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4) (0<or=x<or=0.5) mixed ferrite, synthesized by ethylene glycol mediated citrate sol-gel method, were characterized by X-ray diffraction and microstructure by transmission electron microscopy. Further studies by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were also conducted. Moreover, DC electrical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied by DC conductivity measurements. The response of prepared Ni(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4) mixed ferrites to different reducing gases (ethanol, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen and liquefied petroleum gas) was investigated. In particular, Ni(0.6)Zn(0.4)Fe(2)O(4) composition exhibited high response to 100 ppm ethanol gas at 300 degrees C. Incorporation of palladium further improved the response, selectivity and response time of Ni(0.6)Zn(0.4)Fe(2)O(4) to ethanol gas with the blue shift in the operating temperature by 25 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: PG Department of Physics, Government Vidarbha Institute of Science & Humanities, Amravati 444604, Maharashtra, India. vdk_research@yahoo.com
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Kapse
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Raghuwanshi
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kapse
authors.forename: U S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Khandekar
mesh_terms: D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis*; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009532:Nickel; D012666:Semiconductors; D015034:Zinc Oxide
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D000431:Ethanol; D009532:Nickel; C028007:nickel monoxide; D015034:Zinc Oxide