Synthesis temperature dependence of morphologies and properties of cobalt oxide and silicon nanocrystals

Cobalt and cobalt oxide nanocrystals were synthesized on Si substrates from aqueous cobalt nitrate [Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O] powder via chemical vapor deposition method. Scanning electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope observations show different morphologies, such as continuous films, nano-bars, nano-dices, and nano-strings, depending on the synthesis temperature. The crystal structure characterization was conducted using X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, the properties of the samples were characterized using Raman spectroscopic analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer. The morpholo- gy change was discussed in terms of synthesis environments and chemical interactions between cobalt, oxygen, and silicon.