Preparation of cobalt nanoparticles from [bis(salicylidene)cobalt(II)]-oleylamine complex by thermal decomposition

[Bis(salicylidene)cobalt(II)] was used as a precursor to prepare cobalt nanoparticles of average diameter 25-35 nm by thermal decomposition. The different combinations of triphenylphosphine and oleylamine were added as surfactants to control the particle size. The resultant samples are characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) to depict the phase and morphology. The hysteresis loops of the obtained samples reveal the soft magnet behaviors the enhanced coercivity (Hc) and decreased saturation magnetization (Ms) in contrast to their respective bulk materials.