A facile method to fabricate porous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hierarchical microspheres

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2011.05.008· OSTI ID:22066386

Chen, X; Ma, R; Liu, F; Zhang, X B

Flower-like Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hierarchical microspheres composed of self-assembled porous nanoplates have been prepared by a two-step method without employing templates. The first step involves the synthesis of flower-like Co(OH){sub 2} microspheres by a solution route at low temperatures. The second step includes the calcination of the as-prepared Co(OH){sub 2} microspheres at 200 deg. C for 1 h, causing their decomposition to form porous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres without destruction of their original morphology. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractormeter and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. Some experimental factors including solution temperature and surfactant on the morphologies of the final products have been investigated. The magnetic properties of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres were also investigated. - Graphical Abstract: Flower-like Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres are composed of self-assembled nanoplates and these nanoplates appear to be closely packed in the microspheres. These nanoplates consist of a large number of nanocrystallites less than 5 nm in size with a porous structure, in which the connection between nanocrystallites is random. Research Highlights: {yields} Flower-like Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hierarchical microspheres composed of self-assembled porous nanoplates have been prepared by a two-step method without employing templates. {yields} Layered Co(OH){sub 2} microspheres were prepared with an appropriate approach under low temperatures for 1 h reaction. {yields} Calcination caused Co(OH){sub 2} decomposition to form porous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres without destruction of their original morphology.

• OSTI ID: 22066386
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 62, Issue 8; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
CALCINATION
COBALT HYDROXIDES
COBALT OXIDES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MICROSPHERES
MORPHOLOGY
NANOSTRUCTURES
PARTICLE SIZE
POROUS MATERIALS
PRECIPITATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION