Characterization of SnO 2 ‐Coated CuFe 2 O 4 Nanocomposites.

Nanocomposites are a cohesive class of materials, which have many technological applications due to their excellent properties, realizable within the range of 1–100 nm sizes. Ferrite nanocomposites have been used as the potential candidate materials for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic anodes for oxidation of organic compounds like phenol, anodes for lithium batteries, inert anode for aluminium electrolysis, etc. Recently these are envisaged as an eco-friendly substitute for carbonaceous materials in electrochemical applications. In the present study the CuFe 2 O 4 /SnO 2 nanocomposites have been prepared by a novel combustion method. The TEM figure confirms the nanocrystalline nature of the as-synthesized product. XRD spectra show the well-defined crystalline nature and a phase transition of tetragonal to cubic on increased SnO 2 substitution. The band gap values calculated from the UV-Vis spectra are in the vicinity of semiconducting range. The maximum a.c. electrical conductivity of 1.75×10 -3 S · cm -1 was obtained for CuFe 2 O 4 /5% SnO 2 composition. The impedance spectrum also confirms the semiconducting behavior of the materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]