Multiscale identification of the inorganic shell of core (Co)/shell-assembled nanoparticles

Core (Co)/shell (Co-oxide) nanoparticles assembly exhibits interesting magnetic properties that depend on the inorganic shell characteristic (composition and crystalline structure). Assemblies of pure and partially oxidized cobalt (core/shell) nanoparticles, ~9 nm in diameter, were prepared and analyzed by techniques probing the matter at macroscale to nanoscale: UV–visible-near-infrared (NIR) transmission, FTIR, Raman microspectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Attention is paid to compare nonoxidized and (partially) oxidized Co nanoparticles, coated with lauric acid as stabilizing agent (ligands). The approximately 1 nm disordered inorganic coating is perfectly detected by transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible–NIR, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum is sensitive to laser wavelength and power due to the local heating induced by the laser, which modifies the interaction between the organic chains and the nanoparticle inorganic shell. For comparison, nanoparticle films were analyzed under heating from room temperature to 300°C. The “fusion” (dynamic disorder) of lauric (dodecanoic) chains is observed concomitantly with the merging of very low wavenumber Lambs' modes into a Rayleigh wing, which is consistent with an increase in the topological nanoparticle disorder. Hydroxylation or water adsorption is observed for Co film. The UV–visible–NIR and Raman spectra of the Co-oxide shell do not correspond to that of CoO (rock salt) nor to that of Co₃O₄ (spinel) but has some similarity to that of 2D delafossite (CoOOH) phase.