Microstructure and magnetic properties of tubular cobalt–silica nanocomposites

Co-based (Co and Co₃O₄) nanoparticles were self-integrated into SiO₂ nanotubes with a methodology based on the use of a Co salt as a template structure for the formation of SiO₂ nanotubes. Within the confinement of tubular matrix of SiO₂, the nanofibres of cobalt precursor, i.e., Co(NH₃)₆](HCO₃)(CO₃)·2H₂O, were treated in a H₂ atmosphere with different parameters. With a sufficient reduction on the cobalt precursor, sphere-like Co-based nanoparticles are obtained, being well aligned in the interior space of the SiO₂ nanotubes. With an insufficient reduction, platelet-like Co-based nanoparticles are formed, being arranged in a random manner inside the SiO₂ nanotubes. The sufficiently reduced Co–SiO₂ nanocomposite exhibits an open hysteresis loop in the low field region (<3 kOe) and a paramagnetic response in high field (>3 kOe) at 300 K. An observed wide separation between the zero-field-cooling (ZFC) and field-cooling (FC) curves over the whole temperature region has demonstrated a characteristic feature of ferromagnetism with a magnetically anisotropic barrier diverting the easy axis from the axis of the applied field. The predominant factor leading to this anisotropic potential barrier is attributed to the shape anisotropy native to the one-dimensional arrangement of Co-based nanoparticles within the tubular matrix, i.e. SiO₂ nanotubes.