Synthesis, characterization and application of rare earth (Lu3+) doped zinc ferrites in carbon monoxide gas sensing and supercapacitors

The novel rare earth (Lu) doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles, synthesized via a solution combustion approach, exhibit exceptional sensitivity to carbon monoxide (C.O.), a capability studied for the first time. The successful detection of C.O. by these nanoparticles underscores their potential as efficient gas sensors. Structural and morphological characterization confirmed the creation of single-phase zinc ferrite nanoparticles, utilizing various standard and advanced modern probes.To assess the gas sensing capabilities, the nanoparticles were exposed to carbon monoxide gas, revealing an outstanding gas response of 80 % at 300 °C, with a response against 20,000 parts per million by volume (PPMv) of carbon monoxide. These results indicate the promising applicability of Lu-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles in C.O. gas sensing applications.Furthermore, the supercapacitance performance of the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated. Electrodes fabricated from Lu-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles (Lu 0, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) were examined in a 3M K.O.H. electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (E.I.S.). The electrochemical properties of all nanoparticles exhibited good Faradaic behaviour, with the Lu 0.7 electrode achieving a high specific capacitance of 280 F/g at a current density of 0.25 A/g. This highlights the prominent electrochemical stability and potential applications of Lu-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles in energy storage devices.Overall, the comprehensive investigation of the gas sensing and super capacitance performance of Lu-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles demonstrates their versatility and potential for various technological applications, including gas sensing and energy storage. These findings pave the way for further research and development in utilizing rare earth-doped ferrite nanoparticles for advanced functional materials.