Tailoring ammonia gas sensing performance of La3+-doped copper cadmium ferrite nanostructures

Lanthanum-doped copper-cadmium ferrite (La-CCF) nanocrystallite pallet sensors are synthesized using a sol-gel auto-combustion method and envisaged in ammonia gas sensing applications. The structure and morphology measurements of the La-CCF sensors are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and scanning electron microscopy images. The single tetragonal spinel phase is confirmed from X-ray diffraction analysis. A secondary phase of LaO3 is observed when La doping level is ≥ 0.1 observed. The surface appearance of the La-CCF sensor changes from irregular polished course to irregular elevation type crystallites on La addition. The room-temperature gas sensing measurements suggest a better selectivity and sensitivity of La-CCF sensors for ammonia gas among several tested target gases. The sensing performance increases with La3+-doping level from x = 0.0 to 0.1 due to lattice defect introduced by a large sized La ion substitution. [Display omitted] •We report the effect of La3+ doping on the structural, Morphological and sensing properties of copper cadmium ferrite (Cu0·5Cd0·5Fe2O4) nanostructures.•The structural and surface morphology analyses are performed as a function of La3+-doping.•Effect of La3+ doping on the sensing performance of Cu0·5Cd0·5Fe2O4 nanostructures has been attempted.•Effect of changes in room temperature and morphology of Cu0·5Cd0·5Fe2O4 for NH3 gas sensing of as function of lanthanum doping are identified and reported.