Jun 18 2013
Nanoparticles research is a quickly developing area with immense potential.
Cobalt is a Block D, Period 4 element. The morphology of cobalt nanoparticles is spherical, and their appearance is a grey or black powder. Cobalt nanoparticles possess magnetic properties, which leads to applications in imaging, sensors, and many other areas.
Cobalt nanoparticles are graded as harmful with chances of allergic skin reactions. They have also been tested to be causing asthma symptoms and breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of cobalt nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
Co |
| CAS No. |
7440-48-4 |
| Group |
9 |
| Electronic configuration |
[Ar] 4s2 3d7 |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of cobalt nanoparticles are given in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
8.86 g/cm3 |
0.320 lb/in3 |
| Molar mass |
58.93 g/mol |
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of cobalt nanoparticles are provided in the table below.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting point |
1495°C |
2723°F |
| Boiling point |
2870°C |
5198°F |
Manufacturing Process
Cobalt nanoparticles can be produced using the laser evaporation process. High purity cobalt is the raw material used for producing high purity, small particle size, high active cobalt nanoparticles in large quantities at low cost.
The cobalt nanoparticles can be packaged in antistatic plastic bags.
Applications
Cobalt compounds have been in use for hundreds of years as a dye. It is also an essential human nutrient as part of vitamin B12.
The following are the areas of application of cobalt nanoparticles:
- Medical sensors
- Biomedicine as a contrast enhancement agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Site-specific drug delivery agents for cancer therapies
- Coatings, plastics, nanofibers, nanowires, textiles, and high-performance magnetic recording materials
- As a magnetic fluid - made of iron, cobalt, nickel and its alloy nanoparticles
- Microwave-absorption materials
Cobalt oxide particles can also be used in several military applications such as high-performance invisible materials for absorbing extremely high frequency (EHF) millimeter wave (MMW), visible light and infrared.
Researchers are looking into exploring their electrical, magnetic, optical, imaging, dielectric, catalytic, biomedical and bioscience properties for more applications.
Source: AZoNano