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Nanocrystalline spinel Ni x Cu0.8−x Zn0.2Fe2O4: a novel material for humidity sensing

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Abstract

The humidity sensing property of the ferrite systems Ni x Cu0.8−x Zn0.2Fe2O4 with 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) was studied using the standard ceramic technique. The spinel structure of the compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, BET study and surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy. The compounds were subjected to dc electrical conductivity studies at room temperature. The resistance measurements as a function of relative humidity (RH) in the range of 5–98% were done and the humidity sensing factors (S f = R 5%/R 95%) were calculated. The composite NiCuZn-3 (x = 0.4) possessed the highest humidity sensing factor of 3051.9 ± 500, whilst CuZn–1 (x = 0) possessed the lowest humidity sensing factor of 45.3 ± 12. The other compounds possessed lower humidity sensing factors of 116.7 ± 35, 783.4 ± 160 and 416.2 ± 65 for x = 0.2, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge funding from the UGC-Major Research Project 32-249/2006 (SR). We thank Dr. M. Selvanayagam, Director, LIFE, for his constant encouragement and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy (LIFE), Loyola College, Chennai, 600 034, India

    V. Jeseentharani, L. Reginamary, B. Jeyaraj, A. Dayalan & K. S. Nagaraja

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  1. V. Jeseentharani
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  2. L. Reginamary
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  3. B. Jeyaraj
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  4. A. Dayalan
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  5. K. S. Nagaraja
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Correspondence to K. S. Nagaraja.

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Jeseentharani, V., Reginamary, L., Jeyaraj, B. et al. Nanocrystalline spinel Ni x Cu0.8−x Zn0.2Fe2O4: a novel material for humidity sensing. J Mater Sci 47, 3529–3534 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-6198-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-6198-9

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