Co9S8 nanotubes synthesized on the basis of nanoscale Kirkendall effect and their magnetic and electrochemical properties

Abstract

Polycrystalline Co₉S₈ nanotubes were successfully fabricated by using Co(CO₃)_0.35Cl_0.20(OH)_1.10 nanorod bunches as sacrificial hard templates through a hydrothermal route. The samples were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM. The Co₉S₈ nanotubes were formed due to the nanoscale Kirkendall effect, which can be explained by the difference in diffusion rates between the cobalt source and the sulfur ion. Magnetic measurements indicate that the Co₉S₈ nanotubes show a paramagnetic property instead of a ferromagnetic property, which can be attributed to the tiny sizes of the component nanoparticles. The electrochemical properties of the Co₉S₈ nanotubes demonstrate that they deliver a large discharge capacity, which might find possible applications as an electrode material in lithium batteries.