African Journal of Physics ISSN 9821-5213 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mechanochemical route to synthesize Co₃O₄/CuO composite nanopowders

Aidong Tang ¹, HuamingYang ^2,*, Xiangchao Zhang ²

¹School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;

²School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.

Accepted 17 October, 2021

Abstract

Co₃O₄/CuO composite nanopowders have been successfully synthesized by heating the precursor obtained via a mechanochemical reaction. The precursor and the nanopowders were characterized using thermogravimetric (TG), X- ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM). Subsequent thermal treatment of the precursor at 550- 700 °C in air for 2 h resulted in the formation of Co₃O₄/CuO nanopowders with an average crystal size of about 25-50 nm, varying with the calcination temperature. The mechanism of nanocrystallite growth is primarily investigated. The morphology of the synthesized Co₃O₄/CuO nanopowders is in irregular polyhedron shape and the mechanism of NaCl used as diluent have been analyzed. The mechanochemical route is a novel, cheap and convenient technique suitable for large-scale synthesis of composite nanomaterials.

Keywords: Composite nanopowders; Co₃O₄/CuO; Mechanochemical reaction; Nanocrystallite growth.