Characteristics and Magnetic Properties of Carbon-Coated Cobalt Nanoparticles Deposited on Silica

Cobalt nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix were obtained by thermolysis of glucose deposited on Co₃O₄/SiO₂. The magnetic characteristics of the obtained nanoparticles were measured. This process formed single-domain (d < 20 nm) carbon-coated Co nanoparticles. The average size and the size distribution of Co nanoparticles depend on the amount of glucose used for the preparation. The use of a relatively small amount of glucose (glucose/cobalt < 1 mol/mol) leads to the formation of carbon shells enveloping Co nanoparticles, which are resistant to oxidation in air up to 200°C. In contrast, the use of a larger amount of glucose leads to the formation of an amorphous carbon layer with metal particles enclosed in it. Thus, the resulting nanoparticles are more susceptible to oxidation, and approximately half of the deposited cobalt is oxidized to CoO within a few days of exposure to air.