Tracking of the organic species during the synthesis of cobalt-based nanoparticles in non-aqueous solution

In this work we investigate the organic products of the synthesis of Co-based nanoparticles in benzyl alcohol. Our GC and in situ IR studies provide the experimental proofs for the formation of benzaldehyde, toluene and isopropanol in the reaction solution. These organic products can be correlated with formation of cobalt-based nanoparticles with oxidation state from 0 to 3+. These results shine the light on the complexity of organic and inorganic reactions in solution during crystallization of nanoparticles.