CdFe2O4 thin films for the detection of benzene vapors

Spinel cadmium ferrite thin films were prepared using spray pyrolysis technique. The structural analysis of synthesized CdFe 2 O 4 thin films shows the spinel structure, which exhibits polycrystalline nature. Morphological study confirms that the crystallites of CdFe 2 O 4 thin film have island-like nature. The size of the crystallite is recorded to be around 13.0–37 nm. Energy-dispersion spectroscopy confirms the presence of oxygen, iron and cadmium in cadmium ferrites film. The prepared CdFe 2 O 4 thin film is extremely sensitive towards toxic benzene vapor molecules at ambient temperature. The resistance of synthesized CdFe 2 O 4 thin film decreases considerably when this material is exposed to benzene vapor molecules. The selectivity, stability, recovery time, sensitivity and response time of CdFe 2 O 4 thin film towards benzene vapor molecules were explored in the present study. Graphical abstract