Hydrothermal synthesis of Co3O4 with different morphology: Investigation of magnetic and electrochemical properties

Abstract

Co3O4 nanostructures were manufactured using hydrothermal synthesis method and then at high temperature calcinations process was performed. In the production process, the starting material remained constant and the additives were changed where urea (CO(NH2)(2)), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ethylenediamine (C2H4(NH2)(2)) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used. As a result, different type of nanostructures were obtained (nanosheets, nanosphere, the poppy flowers like structures, clover field-like structures). The crystal properties and chemical composition of the products was confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction) technique and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the Co3O4 nanostructures was assessed using SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The electrochemical activity of the Co3O4 nanostructures were examined by CV (cyclic voltammetry). CV curves indicate that the charge mechanisms of all samples show pseudocapacitive behaviours. Magnetic characterization of the Co3O4 nanostructures was investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements at room temperature. It was concluded that production parameters like temperature and stabilizer used in the production affect the physical and magnetic properties of Co3O4 nanostructures. Vibrating sample magnetometry results showed poor ferromagnetic and typical antiferromagnetic behaviours where typical hysteresis curve was not observed for most of the samples. Such a case attributable to shape and size of the Co3O4 nanostructures.(C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.