Metallic ferrites are investigated as prospective materials for different applications especially as anodes in extractive metallurgy. CuFe2O4, one of the important ferrites, is envisaged for substituting the carbon anode in Hall-Heroult cells. A single step combustion process has been used for the synthesis of CuFe2O4 powder from cupric nitrate, ferric nitrate and urea. The experimental conditions for maximum conversion efficiency of the precursor powders have been optimized. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have confirmed the formation, structure and homogeneity of the as-prepared powders. The detailed physical, electrical and structural characterization of the materials have been carried out for the specimens obtained on sintering at different temperatures up to 1000 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.