One-step CoFe2O4 gel combustion synthesis using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) as alternative fuel: Control of oxidiser-to-fuel molar ratio for tuning its structural, magnetic, and optical properties

•Combustion synthesis obtaining ferrites in lower temperature.•Tuning CoFe2O4 modifying synthesis parameters.•TRIS can be used as an alternative fuel.•Fuel and Ψ can be varied to change structural, optical, and magnetic properties.•TRIS can be used as a fuel to synthesise spinel ferrites. Spinel ferrites are promising candidates for various applications as transformers, transducers, inductors in the electronic field, sensors, biosensors and hyperthermia agents in the biomedical field. Combustion synthesis, as a method for obtaining ferrites, is gaining attention. However, most fuels generate high ignition temperatures, which lead to larger (micrometric) crystallites or even render combustion synthesis unfeasible in a single step. Spinel cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) has unique features that facilitate tuning the spinel structure based on modifications in the synthesis parameters. In this study, CoFe2O4 was synthesised via gel combustion using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (tris) as an alternative fuel. The effect of the oxidizer-to-fuel molar ratio (Ψ) on their formation and structural, optical, and magnetic properties were evaluated. Gels were prepared from metal nitrates and tris at Ψ values of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4. Thermal analysis of the ignition temperature was found to be dependent on Ψ. The adiabatic flame temperatures were estimated using thermodynamic calculations, as 2688.36 K when Ψ = 0.6, and 1017.56 K when Ψ = 1.4, which indicates that the temperatures would be sufficient to form the phase in one step without additional thermal treatment. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of CoFe2O4 as a single-phase for all Ψ values. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of CoFe2O4 for all Ψ values investigated. The low bandgap values (0.92–1.36 eV) suggest several promising applications in photoactivated materials. The magnetic properties of the as-prepared powders measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer revealed saturation magnetisation values, Ms, and coercivity field, Hc, and remanence magnetisation were dependant on Ψ. These results show that tris can be used as a fuel to synthesise spinel ferrites via one-step gel combustion with excellent properties for several applications.