The optimization of ZnFe2O4/Mn2O3-based nanocomposite ceramic fabrication utilizing local minerals as an ethanol gas detector

Afurther study of ZnFe2O4/Mn2O3-based nanocomposite ceramic has been carried out. The study aimed to determine the effects of structural characteristics, morphology, and nanocomposite ceramic responses to ethanol gas. The materials used were Fe2O3 and Mn2O3 from the purification of jarosite and manganite local minerals, respectively. Powder synthesis was carried out using the precipitation method. The synthesized powder was then mixed with Organic Vehicle (OV) to form a paste. Later, they were spread onto an alumina substrate, which previously had been coated with a silver electrode. The paste was spread onto the substrate using a screen printing method and then it had been fired at 700 degrees C for two hours to form a nanocomposite ceramic. The nanocomposite ceramic characterization using XRD resulted in cubic and hexagonal spinel composite structures formed by three phases. Morphology of the nanocomposite ceramic showed that the nanocomposite ceramic had high porosity and grain size of the nanometer scale. The nanocomposite ceramic response was known by conducting an electrical test having a function of temperature resistance (R-T). nanocomposite ceramic showed its best performance at a working temperature of 325 degrees C with a response of 75.86%. The resulted nanocomposite ceramic had a very good response to ethanol gas. It explains that nanocomposite ceramic from local material potentially can be applied as an ethanol detector.