Morphological features of Co3O4 nanoparticles obtained by solution combustion method

Abstract

The global environmental crisis has made it imperative to enhance tools and techniques for monitoring and analyzing environmental parameters. Gas sensors, crucial for air quality assessment, continually under go technological advancements to enhance accuracy and efficiency in detecting harmful substances. They play an essential role in ensuring safety in workplaces, urban areas, and industries, aiding pollution control efforts. Enhanced gas sensor performance hinges on careful selection and control of gas-sensitive materials and their structure. This involves optimizing gas-sensitive compounds, employing advanced materials, and developing technologies for sensitive and rapid substance detection. One promising compound for this purpose is Co3O4 oxide, synthesized efficiently using the solution combustion method. This method off ers simplicity and allows for precise control over product structures and properties, enabling customization for specific requirements and ensuring high detection efficiency and accuracy. In this study, Co3O4 particles were synthesized from a mixture of cobalt nitrate and glycine with the addition of nitric acid using the solution combustion method. The influence of nitric acid addition and the fuel-to-oxidizer ratio on the morphological characteristics of the cobalt oxide was investigated. The results from SEM, TEM, XRD, and SAXS analyses confi rmed that the addition of nitric acid and a fuel-rich mixture lead to nanoparticles with smaller diameter spread and more stable characteristics.