Co₃O₄ nanoparticles produced by mechanochemical reactions

Co₃O₄ nanoparticles have been produced by mechanochemical reactions involving cobalt carbonate, sodium oxide and sodium carbonate. The mechanochemical reactions are carried out during milling at room temperature and the nanoparticles have been obtained without the need for any thermal treatment after the milling operation. The CoO phase is produced in the first 30 min of the mechanochemical process, followed by a second stage of oxidation to Co₃O₄ which lasts for several hours. Under proper milling conditions the final products were soft agglomerates of ultrafine particles with average sizes between 15 and 20 nm.