Microwave synthesis and effect of CTAB on ferromagnetic properties of NiO, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4 nanostructures

Cubic-structured NiO, Co3O4 and spinel-structured NiCo2O4 were synthesized via microwave route. The structural properties of NiO, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4 nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, and it showed smaller crystallite size for NiO than Co3O4 and NiCo2O4 by using Williamson-Hall method. Flake-like and hexagonal plate-like morphologies were ascertained from HRSEM and TEM analyses. Optical properties of these materials were investigated by photoluminescence study, and it presents the band edge emission for all materials with supplementary emissions in visible region due to the presence of defects such as vacancy and interstitial. Raman and FTIR spectra provide the functional characteristics of NiO, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4 nanostructures. XPS measurement revealed the purity and composition of these nanostructures. Room temperature magnetic measurements were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometer. The low coercivity and remanent magnetization for NiO, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4 nanostructures confirmed that these nanoparticles exhibit a weak ferromagnetic behaviour.