Novel magnetic properties of CoTe nanorods and diversified CoTe2 nanostructures obtained at different NaOH concentrations

CoTe and CoTe₂ nanorods with average diameter of 100 nm were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process, and different CoTe₂ nanostructures were obtained by changing the NaOH concentration. CoTe nanorods exhibit weak ferromagnetism while CoTe₂ nanorods present paramagnetic behavior. Different magnetic behaviors occur in the other CoTe₂ nanostructures due to Na⁺ entrance into CoTe₂ crystals. A first-principles study on Na-doped CoTe₂ confirms the magnetic characteristics.