PREPARATION OF COBALT OXIDE/ZINC OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITE

Abstract Cobalt Oxide/ Zinc Oxide nanocomposite was synthesized by dropwise addition of Co(NO)3.6H2O and Zn(NO3)2.4H2O solutions to KOH solution at different temperatures followed by calcination at 300ºC for 4 h. The morphology and structure of nanoparticles and the influence of temperature on particle size were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Minimum particle size was obtained before calcination at 70ºC. In addition, the spherical, semispherical and flake-shaped nanoparticles were observed at ambient temperature. On the other hand, Co(OH)2 was transformed to Co3O4, ZnO flakes were eliminated, and particle size changed during calcination. Synthesized samples at 50ºC and 70ºC showed an increase size after calcinations; however, elimination of flakes during calcination caused particle size reduction for synthesized sample at ambient temperature.