Synthesis of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles/Fibres in Alcoholic Medium using y-ray Technique

Nanoparticles of cobalt oxides were synthesised by steady state y irradiation technique using various alcoholic salt solutions of cobalt ions with aniline acting as a stabiliser. Preliminary results were investigated using UV-vis and Fourier transform infra red analysis. The X-ray diffractograms revealed major peaks at 28 values of ˜ 36.4°, 39.1°, 44.2°, and 65.7° ^{corresponding to the Cf₃0₄ phase and one peak at ˜30.7° (100 per cent intensity) for Co₂O₃ phase. Lower alcohols yielded particles while fibres were formed in higher alcohols as observed from transmission electron microscopic analysis. Iso-propanol was observed to yield cobalt oxide nanoparticles with highest stability, conversion yield and homogeneity in size. The average measured diameter and length of these fibres were ˜29 nm and 130 nm respectively. Energy dispersive spectroscopy supports the formation of cobalt oxide. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results for iso-propanol sample show a peak at 781.6 eV confirming the formation of Cf₃0₄.}