Study on the effect of cuprite content on the electrical and CO2 sensing properties of cuprite-copper ferrite nanopowder composites

The paper reports the synthesis and characterization of cuprite/copper ferrite nanopowder composites. The composites were synthesized using co-precipitation with oxalates precursor route. The phase and microstructure of the powder samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, BET surface area analyzer and scanning electron microscopy. The powders were fabricated to device using a simple and efficient shaping technique. These devices were used further to carry out electrical property measurements in various atmospheres. The type of charge carriers were found by noting the sense of change in resistance when the air atmosphere on the sample was replaced with argon. CO2 responses were reported for the whole series of composites. The effect of cuprite concentration on the CO2 sensing performance was found to be independent of cuprite concentration up to certain limits (70%at).