Preparation of Nano-Co3O4 by Direct Thermal Decomposition of Cobalt(II) Nitrate Hexahydrate for Electrochemical Water Oxidation

Publisher： Bentham Science Publishers

E-ISSN： 1875-6786|14|2|154-159

ISSN： 1573-4137

Source： Current Nanoscience, Vol.14, Iss.2, 2018-02, pp. : 154-159

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Background: Nano-Co3O4 has been used in various technological areas and applicationssuch as electrochemical sensors and electrochemical water splitting. Even though many efforts havebeen expended to prepare nano-Co3O4, the development of novel methods to prepare Co3O4 usingsimple processes and at low cost remain a topic of interest. Besides, it could be economic and usefulif the synthesized nanoparticle could be applied as efficient electrocatalyst upon its immobilizationon a cheap base electrode material by very simple method for various practical applications includingrenewable energy.

Method: We prepared nano-Co3O4 by a direct thermal decomposition of an inexpensive, simple andwidely available cobalt inorganic precursor, such as Co(NO3)2·6H2O without any type of prereactionor processing. The nano-Co3O4 was immobilized on filter-paper-derived carbon electrode bydrop-drying method for applying as electrode materials toward water electrooxidation.

Results: The X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electronmicroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of short nanorods of single-phase Co3O4 uponthermal decomposition of Co(NO3)2·6H2O at 520#176;C. The electrocatalytic properties of the nano-Co3O4 were evaluated after immobilizing it on a cheap carbon electrode derived from normal filterpaper. The modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic properties toward water oxidation in analkaline solution.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we developed a very simple, straight-forward and economic method forpreparation of nano-Co3O4 and immobilized it on very cheap carbon electrode for evaluating its electrocatalyticproperties. Due to the high electrocatalytic properties, the prepared nano-Co3O4 couldpotentially play an important role in various practical fields.