Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Copper Ferrites by Electrochemical Techniques for Toxic Gas Sensing, Li Ion Battery and Medical Applications

Abstract

Nanocrystalline spinel copper ferrite CuFe2O4 thin film has been studied and synthesized via the electrodeposition-anodization process. Electrodeposited CuFe2 alloys were obtained from aqueous sulphate bath. The formed alloys were electro oxidized (anodized) in aqueous (1 M KOH) solution, at room temperature, to the corresponding hydroxides. The anodized CuFe2 alloy films were annealed in air at 400 0 C for 2 h. The parameters controlling of the electrodeposition of CuFe2 alloys such as the bath temperature, agitation and the current density were studied and optimized. The crystal structure, crystallite size and microstructure of the produced ferrites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD shows that CuFe2O4 had a spinel structure and the crystallite size of CuFe2O4 phase was ~ 2 nm. SEM micrograph of the formed ferrite particles shows agglomeration structure morphology with a narrow distribution of the particles.