Solid-state synthesis and characterization of core–shell CoFe 2O 4–carbon composite nanoparticles from a heterometallic trinuclear complex

Abstract

In the present work, core–shell CoFe 2O 4–carbon composite nanoparticles (CCNPs) were synthesized via the thermolysis of a heterometallic trinuclear complex [CoFe 2O(CH 3COO) 6(H 2O) 3·2H 2O] in a one-end closed horizontal tube furnace. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and EDX analyses revealed a pure ferrite phase with high crystallinity and the composition elements of C, Co, Fe and O with the rate of Co, Fe, and O to the CoFe 2O 4 theoretical value. Raman spectroscopy indicates amorphous carbon in the products. Morphological investigation by SEM and TEM showed the CCNPs have an average particle size of 50 nm coated with carbon on the surface. The reaction temperatures were evaluated and magnetic measurement shows that the formed CCNPs have smaller saturation magnetization than bulk cobalt ferrite at room temperature.