Synthesis and characterisation of ferromagnetic hexagonal cobalt nanoparticles

Ferromagnetic hexagonal cobalt nanoparticles are synthesised via reduction of cobalt acetate tetrahydrate by using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. The morphology, crystal structure and magnetic properties of as synthesised particles are characterised by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibratory sample magnetometer (VSM). The results show that the particles are spherical in shape with a size of 5 nm. These particles show ferromagnetic behaviour with magnetic coercivity of 583 Oe at room temperature. Oleic acid acts as the surfactant and its bonding nature on the cobalt nanoparticles is studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry.