Synthesis of sphere-like Co3O4 nanocrystals via a simple polyol route

A simple polyol method was developed to synthesize uniform sphere-like Co3O4 nanocrystals in ethylene glycol. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED) showed that the as-prepared sample was indexed as the cubic spinel structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy ITEM) indicated that the Co3O4 nanocrystals were spherical with the crystallite size in the range of 90-110 nm. Infrared spectra and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of the Co3O4 nanocrystals. The magnetic properties of the Co3O4 nanocrystals were measured by using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetoineter, which showed that the as-prepared sample exhibited a tiny hysteresis loop with the magnetization value of 2.4 emu/g and the coercivity of 110 Oe. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.