Synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles coated with carbon and its catalytic applications in organic reactions

Abstract

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles coated with carbon were prepared by the modified flame pyrolysis method. The preparation was carried out by simply exposing the cobalt nitrate salt onto a spatula to gas flame, the flame temperature converted the cobalt nitrate into cobalt oxide, which further get coated by carbon produced from the combustion of fuel gas. The obtained product from the flame pyrolysis was characterized using techniques viz. XRD, FTIR and SEM. SEM data show that the short length rod shaped nanoparticles coated with carbon ranging from 0.3 to 1 µm µm formed during the process. XRD and FTIR data also support the formation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles coated with carbon particles. Cobalt oxide NPs were utilized for the catalytic N-formylation reaction of amines at 70–80 °C. The optimization of the catalyst as well as temperature have been done carefully. The product of the reaction were characterized by various techniques viz. FTIR, HRMS and 1H NMR which confirmed the formation of the product.