Preparation and characterization of Co9S8 nanocrystalline and nanorods

Hexagonal Co9S8 nanocrystal and nanorods were synthesized using cobalt chloride (CoCl2 center dot 6H(2)O), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and non-aqueous alcohol as the starting materials, and taking dimethyl sulfoxide as both sulfur source and strong infiltrator in nanorods preparation. The Co9S8 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning tunneling microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and laser Raman spectrometer. The results show that the as-prepared Co9S8 nanocrystal with a size of 6 nm take on weak paramagnetism at room temperature. The lengths and diameters of the nanorods were about 4 mu m and 200 nm, respectively. The reason for the relative lower synthesis temperature of nanorods was discussed and a 'micro-autoclave reactor' model was suggested as well.