Characterisation of Nanostructured Co3O4 Synthesised by the Thermal Decomposition of an Inorganic Precursor

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Co3O4 has been synthesised using an inorganic precursor via thermal decomposition. The prepared inorganic precursor Co(cinnamate)2(N2H4)2 was characterised by hydrazine and metal analyses, infrared spectral analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Using appropriate annealing conditions, cobalt oxide nanoparticles of average size ~11 nm were synthesised by thermal treatment of the precursor. The nanoparticles’ size and structure were characterised using X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques.