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In this paper we report on the sol-gel synthesis of cobalt oxide in four different ionic liquids with two different cations and anions. The employed ionic liquids are; 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py1,4]TfO), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([EMIm]TFSA), and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidiniumbis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Py1,4]TFSA). The influence of the cation and anion of the ionic liquids on the morphology of the synthesized oxides was explored. The results showed that octahydron-shaped Co3O4 nanoparticles with different average sizes depending on the type of the employed ionic liquid. The imidazolium cation was found to play a significant role in reducing the particle size of the synthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles. The samples prepared in the imidazolium-based ionic liquids showed smaller particle sizes than those of the samples prepared in the pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids. The shape of the particles of the synthesized Co3O4 was not affected by the type of the ionic liquids. Graphical abstract