Synthesis of α-cobalt(II) hydroxide using ultrasound radiation

Cobalt hydroxide with an interlayer spacing of 7.53 Angstrom and needle-like morphology has been synthesized with the aid of ultrasound radiation. Characterization by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis, indicates the formation of alpha-cobalt hydroxide. Thermal decomposition of the hydroxide at 300 degrees C under air or argon yields nanometer-sized oxide particles of Co3O4 (ca. 9 nm) and CoO (ca. 6 nm), respectively.