Influence of fuel to oxidizer ratio on LPG sensing performance of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles

• One step auto-combustion route was employed to synthesize MgFe2O4 nanoparticles by varying fuel to oxidizer ratio.
• No calcination required for single spinel-type phase of MgFe2O4.
• TEM shows increase in crystallinity with increase in G/N ratio and decrease in surface area as observed from BET.
• Oxygen and magnesium ion concentration present on the surface accountable for LPG sensing.
• Porous nature enhances the performance of gas sensor.

Highly porous magnesium ferrite powders were synthesized by one step method with variation in fuel to oxidizer ratio. Magnesium nitrate and ferric nitrate were used as oxidizers and glycine was used as fuel to carry out auto-combustion synthesis. The structural and morphological properties of the resulting materials were studied using XRD, BET, TEM, SEM and EDAX techniques. The as prepared samples show the formation of sponge-like materials. The XRD measurements confirm the single phase spinel-type magnesium ferrite formation. The excess amount of glycine leads to increase in both degree of crystallinity and lattice parameter. Enhancement in magnetization takes place with increase in G/N ratio. Response to liquid petroleum gas (LPG) was studied on MgFe2O4 nano-particles by varying fuel to oxidizer (G/N) ratio.