Synthesis and characterization of Co3O4 nanorods by thermal decomposition of cobalt oxalate

Cobalt oxalate was used as a precursor to prepare Co3O4 nanorods by thermal decomposition. The combinations of triphenylphosphine and oleylamine were added as surfactants to control the morphology of the particles. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The diameters of Co3O4 nanorods are 20 nm and the average lengths are around 500 nm. The hysteresis loops of the obtained samples reveal the ferromagnetic behaviors, the enhanced coercivity (Hc) and decreased saturation magnetization (Ms) in contrast to their respective bulk materials. The study provides a simple and efficient route to synthesize Co3O4 nanorods at low temperature.