Hydrothermal–Ultrasonication Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Nanospheres for Temperature‐Controlled Xylene Gas Sensor

Abstract The present study covers nickel ferrite (NiFe 2 O 4 ) as an efficient material for sensing of xylene gas. Blend technique (hydrothermal and ultrasonication) was adopted for the fabrication of NiFe 2 O 4 nanospheres due to control over temperature, pressure, and acoustic waves. NiFe 2 O 4 were discovered to be very specific for the detection of xylene gas. The surface, functional group, size, and stability with optical properties of NiFe 2 O 4 nanospheres were examined using various techniques (XRD, FT‐IR, XPS, BET, FESEM, and EDS). After being subjected to a variety of gases (acetone gas, ammonia, benzene, LPG, chlorine, and carbon monoxide), the NiFe 2 O 4 nanospheres were found to be very specific for the detection of xylene. The sensing of xylene for 70 ppm was perform at different temperature ranges (25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 °C). Maximal response at 68.5% was observed at 29.3 and 36.5 s of response and recovery time for xylene at 70 ppm. 70 days of reproducibility was noted for NiFe 2 O 4 . Xylene gas was found to be reactive with the surface of NiFe 2 O 4 nanospheres. Specificity toward xylene gas involves numerous factors such as improved magnetic characteristics, surface charge, particle size, operating conditions, and enhanced electronic properties.