Synthesis of 3D Hollow Structured MnCo2O4/CNTs Nanocomposite and Its Magnetic Properties

Abstract

In the present contribution, the 3D hollow structure of manganese cobalt oxide/carbon nanotubes (MnCo2O4/CNTs) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized through a co-precipitation procedure followed by post-heat treatment. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Based on the obtained results, the surface of carbon nanotubes was coated uniformly in radial directions by manganese oxide (MnO2) nanosheets forming a flower-shaped structure. In the next step, cobalt oxide precursor was introduced to form MnCo2O4/CNTs nanocomposite. The XRD data confirms the formation of MnCo2O4/CNTs. The estimated values of the strain and the crystallite size based on the Williamson-Hall (W-H) method are calculated as 5.326×10-4 and 16 nm respectively. The fingerprint area of FTIR suggests the successful incorporation of MnO2 and cobalt oxide onto CNTs’ surfaces. The flower-shaped structure in the nanoscale is verified by the FESEM and TEM devices. Furthermore, the magnetic specifications revealed the paramagnetic with a small ferromagnetic component of the aforementioned MnCo2O4/CNTs nanocomposite.