Monodisperse ZnFe2O4 nanospheres were synthesized via a nonaqueous route.
ZnFe2O4 nanospheres have diameters of 7–16 nm and a large surface area of 87.40 m2/g.
ZnFe2O4 nanospheres show a high pontential for detecting low-ppm-level toluene.
ZnFe2O4 nanospheres exhibit good linearity with a high response and excellent selectivity.