title: Synthesis, Characterization, and Sensor Applications of Spinel ZnCo₂O₄ Nanoparticles.
abstract: Spinel ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by means of the microwave-assisted colloidal method. A solution containing ethanol, Co-nitrate, Zn-nitrate, and dodecylamine was stirred for 24 h and evaporated by a microwave oven. The resulting solid material was dried at 200 °C and subsequently calcined at 500 °C for 5 h. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the formation of spinel ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles with average sizes between 49 and 75 nm. It was found that the average particle size decreased when the dodecylamine concentration increased. Pellets containing ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles were fabricated and tested as sensors in carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C₃H₈) gases at different concentrations and temperatures. Sensor performance tests revealed an extremely high response to 300 ppm of CO at an operating temperature of 200 °C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUValles, University of Guadalajara, Ameca, Jalisco 46600, Mexico. juan.moran@profesores.valles.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morán-Lázaro
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Department, IPICYT, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78216, Mexico. flo@ipicyt.edu.mx.
authors.forename: Florentino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Urías
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Department, IPICYT, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78216, Mexico. ems@ipicyt.edu.mx.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Sandoval
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, CUCEI, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44410, Mexico. oscar.blanco@cucei.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Blanco-Alonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, CUValles, University of Guadalajara, Ameca, Jalisco 46600, Mexico. msanchez@profesores.valles.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Marciano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Tizapa
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, CUValles, University of Guadalajara, Ameca, Jalisco 46600, Mexico. alejandra.carreon@profesores.valles.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carreon-Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Department of Project Engineering, CUCEI, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44410, Mexico. hguillenbonilla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guillén-Bonilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering (SEES), CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, DF 07360, Mexico. molvera@cinvestav.mx.
authors.forename: María de la Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Olvera-Amador
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUValles, University of Guadalajara, Ameca, Jalisco 46600, Mexico. alex.guillen@profesores.valles.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guillén-Bonilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, CUCEI, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44410, Mexico. veronica.rodriguez@red.cucei.udg.mx.
authors.forename: Verónica María
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Betancourtt
keywords: cobaltite; faceted nanoparticle; sensors; spinel