Spinel MgFe2O4 thick films: A colloidal approach for developing gas sensors

We report a facile synthesis of spinel MgFe2O4 thick films and their use as gas sensors via sol-gel process. The choice of reductant (citrate) in combination with oxidizers (metal nitrates) led to exothermic self-sustaining anionic redox reaction of xerogel. Gas sensing properties are described using an interplay of interfacial colloidal chemistry, structural and morphological properties of the developed material.