A low temperature route to nanocrystalline Co9S8

Nanocrystalline Co9S8 has been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal-reduction method at 120°C. The reducing agents were produced from disproportionation of white phosphorus in alkaline medium. X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that the product is single phase of Co9S8. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the average particle size of Co9S8 is about 20 nm. The possible mechanism for the formation of Co9S8 and the influence of experimental conditions are discussed.