Simple synthesis of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles as gas sensing materials

n-Type semi-conductive nanometer material MgFe2O4 was synthesized by solid-state reaction of inorganic reagents MgSO4, Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, and NaOH. The process was a convenient, environment friendly, inexpensive and efficient preparation method for MgFe2O4 nanomaterial. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the material structure and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to depict the crystallite microstructure. Conductance responses of the nanocrystalline MgFe2O4 thick film were measured by exposing the film to reducing gases like methane (CH4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ethanol gas (C2H5OH). It was found that the sensor exhibited various sensing responses to these gases at different operating temperature. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited a fast response and a good recovery. Successive on and off responses could be repeated without observing major changes in the response signal.