Preparation of Co3O4 Nanostructures via a Hydrothermal-Assisted Thermal Treatment Method by Using of New Precursors

Abstract

Co3O4 nanostructures have been synthesized via a hydrothermal-assisted thermal treatment process. A new complex formulated as [Co(py)2(H2O)2(NO3)2] was synthesized, and then used to prepare Co3O4 nanostructures. Cubic phase of spinel Co3O4 nanostructures with particle size of about 39nm could be produced after calcination of the Co(OH)2 materials prepared with hydrothermal method at 160°C for 15 h. Using of inorganic precursors decreased the time and temperature of Co3O4 preparation. The effect of pH on the morphology of the product s synthesized by hydrothermal reactions was investigated. It was found that the best morphology was achieved on pH=8, where was not prepared any precipitation. In this method, we could decrease the reaction temperature in synthetic rout to fabricate Co3O4 nanostructures. Nanostructures were characterized by SEM, TEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible, Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR).