Cobalt boride synthesis and characterization

Recently, cobalt boride nanoparticles have drawn attention as a significant potential catalyst for hydrogen storage and fuel cell applications. Studies on cobalt boride have been extensively performed for corrosion and wear-resistant surface coating. Size, size distribution, shape, and agglomeration state of the synthesized powder have a significant impact on the microstructure and final properties of the materials. In the conventional wet chemistry methods, cobalt boride nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and controlled shapes can be successfully synthesized. In this present study, cobalt boride is synthesized by a wet chemical method in which cobalt salt, boric acid, and citric acid (as both gelling agent and carbon source) were used. This simple method provides a moderately faster and easier process at relatively lower temperatures. The characterization analysis of powders by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, and SEM presented.