Synthesis and characterization of CoS nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous aluminosilicate material by solid-state reaction

CoS nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in the mesoporous aluminosilicate material (AlMCM-41) were prepared by a novel technique with non-aqueous systems. The mechanical mixture of the CoCl(2) crystal with the AlMCM-41 was heated at 773 K. followed by the H(2)S treatment at 373 K. resulting in the formation of cobalt sulphide nanoparticles (NPs) with an estimated size of 4 nm. Decreasing of the volumes of the pores and the specific surface area of the mesoporous material demonstrates that the guests are located in the channels (BET measurements). The final product (CoS/AlMCM-41) was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.