Investigation of co1-2xnixmnxceyfe2-yo4 double-substitution spinel for highly efficient detection of flammable and hazardous liquefied petroleum gas: sensing performance

The presence of high concentrations of flammable gases and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere has recently been reported to be detrimental to human survival. A lot of research effort has been directed towards finding an efficient means of quick detection of these gases below their ‘immediately dangerous to life or health’ concentrations. Also, detecting these gases in an oxygen-deficient environment is a crucial task to consider. In this research, double substitution spinels with chemical formula Co1-2xNixMnxFe2-yCeyO4, where 0 ≤ x = y ≤ 0.3, were prepared via the glycol thermal technique. The final products following the appropriate substitution were CoFe2O4 (dried naturally), CoFe2O4 (dried with Infrared lamp), Co0.8Ni0.1Mn0.1Fe1.9Ce0.1O4, Co0.6Ni0.2Mn0.2Fe1.8Ce0.2O4, and Co0.8Ni0.1Mn0.1Fe1.9Ce0.1O4 spinel ferrites. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), high resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the samples confirm the formation of the spinels. The gas sensing performance of these samples was tested at an operating temperature of 225 ºC towards liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ammonia, ethanol and propanol using nitrogen, argon, helium, and dry air, each at different times as carrier gases. The Co0.8Ni0.1Mn0.1Fe1.9Ce0.1O4-based sensor was selective to LPG, with a high response of 116.43 towards 0.6 vol % of LPG, using helium as carrier gas. The response and recovery times of this sensor were 2.68 minutes and 3.01 minutes respectively. The sensor proved to be a potential tool for LPG detection in an oxygen-deficient environment.

Author dc:creator

• Ogundipe, Sunday Ayodeji

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• https://uzspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/ab1fb1a1-bf24-4f62-a746-fd6227b76f04/download