Cobalt Oxide, Cobalt(II,III) Oxide, Cobalt Tetroxide (Co₃O₄)

Cobalt Oxide, Cobalt(II,III) Oxide, Cobalt Tetroxide (Co₃O₄)

Cobalt(II,III) oxide is a black to gray-black powder with a spinel crystal structure. It contains 72.86% cobalt and has a median particle size (D50) of 5.19 microns. It is insoluble in water, non-flammable, and stable under normal storage and handling conditions.

Product identification: This product is Co₃O₄, CAS 1308-06-1. Because the name "cobalt oxide" may refer to different cobalt compounds, verify the CAS number when selecting material for a specific application.

Synonyms: Cobalt tetroxide, tricobalt tetraoxide, cobaltosic oxide, cobaltous cobaltic oxide, cobalt black, black cobalt oxide, and tricobalt tetroxide.

Thermal behavior: Co₃O₄ is stable under normal processing conditions. At approximately 895 to 900 °C and above in air, it can convert to cobalt(II) oxide (CoO).

In ceramic, glass, and enamel applications, cobalt oxide is widely used as a colorant and is commonly associated with blue coloration in fired materials.

Typical applications include ceramic pigments, glazes, glass, enamels, catalysts, lithium-ion battery material precursors, electronic ceramics, sensors, chemical intermediates, abrasives, hard-metal materials, and thermal spray applications.

Trace element values are typical and may vary by lot. Request a current Certificate of Analysis for lot-specific results.

For industrial, research, and manufacturing use. Confirm suitability for your application before use. Refer to the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete safety, handling, storage, and disposal information.

Product Specifications

Applications and Benefits:

• Blue colorant for glass, porcelain, stoneware glazes, and vitreous enamel.
• Black and gray body stains and underglaze pigments.
• Glass decolorizing agent for counteracting iron-derived green tints.
• Ground-coat adherence agent in porcelain enamel on steel.
• Frit and glaze mill additions.
• Precursor for lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) cathode material.
• Precursor and dopant for NMC and LCO-blended cathode chemistries.
• Solar thermal energy absorber coatings.
• Electrochromic device layers.
• Oxidation catalyst, including carbon monoxide oxidation and VOC abatement.
• Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst and catalyst precursor.
• Oxygen-evolution and oxygen-reduction electrocatalysis.
• Catalyst carrier and support component.
• Semiconductor and thick-film resistor materials.
• Electronic ceramics, thermistors, and varistors.
• Temperature sensors and gas-sensing elements.
• Magnetic and magnetoresistive materials.
• Feedstock for cobalt sulfate, cobalt chloride, cobalt nitrate, and cobalt carbonate.
• Feedstock for cobalt metal powder through reduction.
• Grinding-wheel and bonded-abrasive additive.
• Hard-metal and cemented-carbide binder precursor.
• Thermal-spray feedstock component.
• Drier component in coatings chemistry.
• Mixed-valence cubic spinel structure supports catalytic activity and semiconducting behavior.
• Stable under normal storage, handling, shipping, weighing, and blending conditions.
• Non-flammable and insoluble in water.
• In glass and glaze melts, cobalt enters the silicate network primarily as Co²⁺, producing characteristic blue coloration.

Caution:

For industrial, research, and manufacturing use. Avoid breathing dust and use appropriate gloves, eye protection, and ventilation when handling. Keep container tightly closed and store in a cool, dry area away from incompatible materials. Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use for complete handling, safety, and disposal information.