Cobalt-based nanoparticles synthesis in organic solvents with environmentally sound processes

A process for the synthesis of cobalt-based nanoparticles is proposed, where standard reducing agent like hydrazine, alkali metal borohydrides, hypophosphites or other toxic reducing agents have not been employed. The solvothermal reaction is carried out in organic solvents and the dimension of the nanoparticles thus obtained have been analyzed by dynamic light scattering. Cobalt nitrate proved to be an efficient precursor, in agreement with previous literature works where its suitability for analogous processes has been tested and compared with the efficiency typical of other precursors routinely used. The soundness of this method, in terms of process safety, has been checked by analyzing the formation of toxic by-products that could be formed by side-reactions between the precursor and the solvent. This work may add some more details to a discussion pertaining to the accidental formation of N-nitroso derivatives of aliphatic compounds in the presence of alkanolamines and oxides of nitrogen.