Effect of PVP on the morphology of cobalt nanoparticles prepared by thermal decomposition of cobalt acetate

Abstract

Cobalt nanoparticles with an average size of 26 nm were prepared by thermal decomposition of cobalt acetate at 325 °C using PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) as a surface-protective reagent. According to the transmission electron microscopy images, the cobalt nanoparticles were well dispersed and mostly had cubic structure as a proper quantity of PVP was added. The magnetic hysteresis loop measured by vibrating sample magnetometer showed that the coercive force Hc and saturated magnetization Ms were 277.4 Oe and 86.8 emu/g, respectively.