Novel Synthesis Methods and Applications of Spinel Ferrite Based Nanocomposites

Dear Colleagues,

Spinel ferrites have the same crystal structure with naturally available mineral magnesium aluminium oxide (MgAl₂O₄). They have a general chemical formula of AB₂O₄, where A and B represent various metal cations situated at tetrahedral (A site) and octahedral (B site), at least with ferric in the chemical formula. What is interesting about spinel ferrites is that they show superparamagnetic characteristics below the critical nano-size. They received great attention due to their fascinating properties and wide applications such as drug delivery, pollutant sensor, energy storage, audio recording, electromagnetic interference device, photocatalyst, water treatment, and resource recovery and reuse. In fact, in all these applications, the synthesis of spinel ferrites in large quantities with all required size, shape, purity and desired functionality remains an active research area in the future. Their properties can be improved by coating their surface, introducing trace metal or non-metal dopant, or using appropriate surface stabilizers. However, currently, there is no appropriate software for the prediction of changes that will be manifested either by coating or trace dopant introduction; this is only possible through tedious experimental work.

This issue invites researchers to contribute original research work as well as review articles, which deal with novel synthesis methods and the application of spinel ferrite-based nanocomposites in energy storage, sensors and photocatalysts. Studies that deal with toxic pollutant sensing, degradation mechanisms, and recovery and reuse of resources of pollutants available in water and wastewater over spinel ferrite-based nanocomposites are especially welcomed.

The potential areas include but are not limited to the following:

• Structural and properties change of spinel ferrite by:
  • Trace transition metal doping;
  • Rare earth metals doping;
  • Annealling at different temperature and changing cationic distribution at tetrahedral and octahedral sites.
• Magnetic and optical properties.
• Mechanism of pollutant sensing, when used as sensors.
• Recovery and reuse of resources from waste materials.
• Energy storage and use.

Prof. Dr. Kebede Keterew Kefeni
Dr. Jemal Nure Fito
Guest Editors

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