Nanocrystalline spinel zinc-substituted cobalt ferrite thick film an efficient ethanol sensor

This study considered Zn-substituted cobalt ferrite (ZnxCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.0-1.0) (ZCF)) thick films structural, morphological, and electrical properties; and gas sensing performance. The ZCF thick film sensor was screen printed on a glass substrate and tested for different analyte gases, including H-2, H2S, CO2, Cl-2, NH3, LPG, and C2H5OH. We used X-ray photoelectron spectrometry to investigate composition, chemical state, iron/cobalt or zinc ratio, and cation distribution within Zn-substituted cobalt spinel ferrite tetrahedral and octahedral sites without impurities. FESEM and HR-TEM confirmed grain dimensions between 0.13 and 0.23 mu m and porous, nearly spherical to flake-like morphology for the ZCF samples. Sample DC resistivity reduced with increasing temperature, confirming semiconductor nature. Thick film ZCF composition achieved highest the gas response and selectivity to 100 ppm ethanol at room temperature (30 degrees C). Overall results confirmed that flake-like ZCF sensors could be effective ethanol gas sensors. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated the properties and gas sensing performance of Zn-substituted cobalt ferrite thick films. The results showed that flake-like ZCF sensors exhibited high response and selectivity to ethanol gas, indicating potential applications at room temperature.