A size-selective synthesis of air stable colloidal magnetic cobalt nanoparticles

A novel, size-selective preparation route leads to air stable ‘monodisperse’ colloidal cobalt nanoparticles via the thermolysis of Co2(CO)8 in the presence of aluminum alkyls. X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements have proved that this preparation pathway provides long term stable zerovalent magnetic Cobalt particles. In addition, these measurements show that the chemical nature of the surfactant used exerts a significant influence on the stability and the local electronic and geometric structure of the analyzed nanoparticles.