Versatile fabrication of dendritic cobalt microstructures using CTAB in high alkali media

A facile hydrothermal reduction route based on a precipitate slow-release controlled process was developed to fabricate highly ordered dendritic cobalt microcrystals using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in high alkali media. The shape, structure, and magnetic properties of the final products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results showed that the sample is hexagonal close-packed Co coexisting with cubic close-packed Co; the length of the main trunk is about 8 μm and diameter of the branches is 0.5–2 μm. Magnetic measurement at 300 K showed that these microstructures exhibited ferromagnetic character. The probable formation mechanism of the microcrystals was discussed on the basis of the experimental results.