Study of the structural features of ε-Co nanoparticles synthesized by cobalt carbonyl decomposition in the presence of surfactant

Abstract

Cobalt nanoparticles (3–7 nm in size) obtained by cobalt carbonyl decomposition in 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the presence of surfactants (trioctylphosphine oxide and oleic acid) have been studied by a complex of structural methods: small-angle X-ray scattering, electron diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles synthesized are found to consist of the cubic ε-Со phase; their crystal structure is described within the sp. gr. P4₁32, a = 6.097 Å. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, the size and shape of nanoparticles have been determined directly in the liquid dispersion. Most of the particles have a spherical shape; their average size is ≈3.5 ± 0.5 nm, which agrees with the electron microscopy data. Possible factors causing the ε-phase formation during synthesis of metallic Co nanoparticles are discussed.