Formation of cobalt nanoparticles in inorganic matrix by frontal polymerisation and thermolysis of metal-containing monomers

Frontal polymerisation of cobalt acrylamide complex, followed by thermolysis at temperatures 673–1073 K was applied for the processing of ferromagnetic nanocomposites containing cobalt crystallites in an inorganic matrix. The cobalt nanocrystallites have mean size in the range 9–15 nm, depending on the thermolysis temperature. The particles are randomly distributed and their size and agglomeration can be controlled by the processing variables. The particles exhibit ferromagnetic properties. Higher annealing temperatures result in higher coercivity. Magnetic behaviour of the nanocomposites is dominated by interparticle dipolar interactions.