The controllable preparation of Co3O4 nanostructure for designing optimal mechanical and magnetic properties of graphite/kaolin based compounds

Publication date: 5 April 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 143
Author(s): Keyun Zhang, Jiujie Zhang, Lili Ma, Yanqin Liang, Xianjin Yang, Zhenduo Cui, Shengli Zhu, Zhaoyang Li
Low heating efficiency of graphite crucible limits the application in electromagnetic induction heating system because of the diamagnetism of graphite. In the present work, Co3O4 nanostructures were successfully prepared by means of a hydrothermal method, and introduced them into graphite and kaolin as raw material of crucible to improve their electromagnetic heating efficiency. The morphology of Co3O4 was adjusted by introducing silk fibroin. The microstructures and morphology of the silk-fibroin-Co3O4 composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman. The magnetic and mechanical properties of these compounds were also evaluated. Adding silk fibroin can optimize the morphology of Co3O4 and increase its magnetism. The addition of Co3O4 calcined at 350°C (with silk fibroin) to graphite increases its magnetism without sacrificing its compressive strength. Co3O4/graphite/kaolin (5:3:2) compounds show desired magnetic and mechanical properties.

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