Characterization of cobalt phosphide nanoparticles derived from molecular clusters in mesoporous silica
Abstract
The synthesis of well dispersed cobalt phosphide nanoparticles (NPs) in SBA-15 mesoporous silica by wet impregnation of the molecular cluster [Co4(CO)10(μ-dppa)] (1) (dppa = HN(PPh2)2) is described. The thermal activation of the silica impregnated precursor under a H2/N2 (5/95 %) stream at different temperatures to form NPs was studied and it was found that the size of the latter is limited in the 5.5–6.5 nm range by the size of the pores. The obtained materials were characterized by various analytical methods. The porosity and the structure of the mesoporous silica supports were analyzed by N2 adsorption/desorption and small-angle X-ray diffraction. The nanoparticles were characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy in conventional and scanning modes, electron tomography, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Cobalt phosphide NPs of few nanometers were observed in the pores of SBA-15.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Nanoparticle Research
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s11051-013-2132-1
- Bibcode:
- 2013JNR....15.2132B
- Keywords:
-
- Nanoparticles;
- Mesoporous silica;
- Cobalt phosphide;
- Electron microscopy;
- Magnetism