Fabrication of single-crystalline Co3O4 nanorods via a low-temperature solvothermal process

Co3O4 nanorods with average diameter and length of ∼ 50 nm and 1 μm were successfully prepared via a simple surfactant-assisted solvothermal method at 160 °C for 12 h. The formation of Co3O4 nanorods is attributed to alcoholysis of cobalt ions dispersed in ethanol in the presence of a capping agent—CTAB. The composition and purity of the sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy images show that the particles are homogenous and have the shape of rods. The mechanism of forming Co3O4 nanorods is also discussed.