Fabrication of a Nickel Ferrite/Nanocellulose-Based Nanocomposite as an Active Sensing Material for the Detection of Chlorine Gas

Chlorine gas is extensively utilised in industries as both a disinfectant and for wastewater treatment. It has a pungent and irritating odour that is comparable with that of bleach and can cause serious health issues such as headaches and breathing difficulties. Hence, efficiently, and accurately monitoring chlorine gas is critical to ensure that no undesirable incidents occur. Due to its remarkable characteristics, numerous researchers have explored the potential of ferrite nanoparticles as a sensing material for chlorine gas detection. Among several ferrite nanoparticles, nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) is extensively studied as an inverse spinel structured magnetic material that may be ideal for sensing applications. However, the magnetic characteristics of NiFe2O4 cause agglomeration, which necessitates the use of a substrate for stabilisation. Therefore, nanocellulose (NC), as a green and eco-friendly substrate, is ideal for stabilising bare nickel ferrite nanoparticles. In a novel experiment, nickel ferrite was loaded onto NC as a substrate using in situ deposition. The structure was confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, while elemental composition was verified by Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Gas sensing properties were determined by evaluating sensitivity as a function of various regulating factors, such as the amount of nickel ferrite, gas concentration, repeatability, and reusability. In the evaluation, 0.3 g nickel ferrite showed superior response and sensitivity than those of other samples. The achieved response time was around 40 s, while recovery time was about 50 s. This study demonstrates the potential of a nickel ferrite/nanocellulose-based nanocomposite to efficiently monitor chlorine gas.