Mixed Alcohol–Polyol Assisted Sol–Gel Synthesis of Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles: Structural, Thermal and Magnetic Properties

Copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized by a mixed alcohol–polyol-assisted sol–gel route using octane-2-ol and glycerol, followed by calcination at 500–900°C. XRD confirmed cubic spinel CuFe₂O₄ with crystallite sizes of 14.25–16.46 nm and improved crystallinity with increasing calcination temperature. TGA indicated major xerogel decomposition below 500°C, while the calcined samples showed good thermal stability above 500°C with an atmosphere-dependent weight gain at 430–500°C. FESEM revealed predominantly near-spherical particles with improved definition and coarsening at higher temperatures. Magnetic measurements showed ferrimagnetic behavior, with markedly higher saturation magnetization for samples calcined at 800–900°C. Overall, the mixed alcohol–polyol-assisted sol–gel route offers an effective approach for tailoring the structural, morphological, thermal, and magnetic properties of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles.