Hierarchical flower-like NiFe2O4 with core-shell structure for excellent toluene detection

The extensive use of toluene stimulates the effective detection by sensitive gas sensors based on unique materials. Here, hierarchical flower-like NiFe2O4 with core-shell architecture was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method in the presence of urea and NH4F. The controllable experiments indicated that the burr spheres and football-like samples were produced with individual urea or NH4F. The flower-like NiFe2O4 sensor exhibited outstanding sensitivity of 19.95 to 100 x 10(-6) toluene with low detection limit (1 x 10(-6)). Furthermore, the sensor showed superior sensing selectivity and long-term stability to toluene. The excellent sensing properties could largely arise from a combination of high surface area, numerous active sites, porous structures, and the native catalytic characteristics of NiFe(2)O(4)to facilitate toluene molecules adsorption, diffusion, and reaction.

Automated summary

This study synthesized hierarchical flower-like NiFe2O4 with core-shell architecture through a hydrothermal method, which exhibited outstanding sensitivity and long-term stability to toluene. The excellent sensing properties were attributed to the high surface area, numerous active sites, porous structures, and native catalytic characteristics of NiFe(2)O(4).