Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) Nanoparticles Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

Nickel ferrite nanoparticles were syntheiszed by sol-gel method using urea as a fuel. The nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR and UV-visible techniques. TGA showed that the gel decomposed around 230 degrees C followed by crystallization. XRD revealed the formation of spinel structure with space group of Fd3m. Scherrer and Williamson-Hall method is applied to determine crystal size and strain present in sample. FTIR showed fundamental absorption bands related to octahedral and tetrahedral sites, in the range 400-600cm(-1). SEM showed agglomerated flakes having void and pores on the surface. UV-vis indicated the bandgap of sample is 5.5 eV. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.