Co3O4 nanoparticles of 35 nm with a cauliflower-like morphology were obtained when a monolayer colloidal dispersion of dodecyl sulfate intercalated alpha-cobalt hydroxide in butanol was subjected to solvothermal hydrolytic decomposition. The nanogranular particles exhibit weakly ferromagnetic properties in contrast with both bulk and dispersed nanoparticulate Co3O4.

This is the first of two parts, where we report the structure determination of a novel family of cluster-based intermetallic phases of unprecedented complexity: cF444-Al63.6Ta36.4 (AT-19), a = 19.1663 (1) Å, V = 7040 Å3, cF(5928 − x)-Al56.6Cu3.9Ta39.5, x = 20 (ACT-45), a = 45.376 (1) Å, V = 93 428 Å3 and cF(23 256 − x)-Al55.4Cu5.4Ta39.1, x = 122 (ACT-71), a = 71.490 (4) Å, V = 365 372 Å3. The space group is F{\bar 4}3m in all three cases. These cluster-based structures are closely related to the class of Frank–Kasper phases. It is remarkable that all three structures show the same average structure that resembles the cubic Laves phase.

This is the second of two papers, where we discuss the cluster structures of a novel family of cluster-based intermetallic phases of unprecedented complexity: cF444-Al(63.6)Ta(36.4) (AT-19), a = 19.1663 (1) A, V = 7040 A3, cF(5928-x)-Al(56.6)Cu(3.9)Ta(39.5), x = 20 (ACT-45), a = 45.376 (1) A, V = 93,428 A3 and cF(23,256-x)-Al(55.4)Cu(5.4)Ta(39.1), x = 122 (ACT-71), a = 71.490 (4) A, V = 365,372 A3. The space group is F43m in all three cases. The structures can be described as packings of clusters such as fullerenes, dodecahedra, pentagonal bifrusta and Friauf polyhedra. A characteristic feature of the two larger structures are nets of hexagonal bipyramidal Ta clusters (h.b.p.). The extremely short distance of 2.536-2.562 A between their apical Ta atoms indicates unusually strong bonding. The large h.b.p. nets are sandwiched between slabs of Friauf polyhedra resembling the structure of the mu phase.

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Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) are important representatives in the emerging field of two‐dimensional materials. At present their combination with molecular films is discussed as it enables the realization of van der Waals bound organic/inorganic hybrids which are of interest in future device architectures. Here, we discuss the potential use of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as supporting substrate for the growth of well‐defined, crystalline organic adlayers. By this means, hybrid systems between the TMDC surface and organic compounds can be prepared, allowing for the profound investigation of mutual optical and electronic coupling mechanisms. As model system, we choose pentacene and perfluoropentacene as prototypical organic semiconductors and analyze their film formation on MoS2(001) surfaces. In both cases, we observe smooth, crystalline film growth in lying molecular configuration, hence enabling the preparation of well‐defined hybrid systems. By contrast, on defective MoS2 surfaces both materials adopt an upright molecular orientation and exhibit distinctly different film morphologies. This emphasizes the importance of highly ordered TMDC surfaces with low defect density for the fabrication of well‐defined hybrid systems.