Title:Preparation of Nano-Co3O4 by Direct Thermal Decomposition of Cobalt(II) Nitrate Hexahydrate for Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mohammed Ameen Ahmed Qasem , Md. Abdul Aziz *, Abbas Saeed Hakeem and Sagheer A. Onaizi
Affiliation:
- Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KFUPM Box 5040, Dhahran 31261,Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate, thermal decomposition, nano-Co3O4, characterization, filter-paper-derived carbon
electrode, electrochemical water oxidation.
Abstract: Background: Nano-Co3O4 has been used in various technological areas and applications
such as electrochemical sensors and electrochemical water splitting. Even though many efforts have
been expended to prepare nano-Co3O4, the development of novel methods to prepare Co3O4 using
simple processes and at low cost remain a topic of interest. Besides, it could be economic and useful
if the synthesized nanoparticle could be applied as efficient electrocatalyst upon its immobilization
on a cheap base electrode material by very simple method for various practical applications including
renewable energy.
Method: We prepared nano-Co3O4 by a direct thermal decomposition of an inexpensive, simple and
widely available cobalt inorganic precursor, such as Co(NO3)2·6H2O without any type of prereaction
or processing. The nano-Co3O4 was immobilized on filter-paper-derived carbon electrode by
drop-drying method for applying as electrode materials toward water electrooxidation.
Results: The X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron
microscopy analysis confirmed the formation of short nanorods of single-phase Co3O4 upon
thermal decomposition of Co(NO3)2·6H2O at 520°C. The electrocatalytic properties of the nano-
Co3O4 were evaluated after immobilizing it on a cheap carbon electrode derived from normal filter
paper. The modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic properties toward water oxidation in an
alkaline solution.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we developed a very simple, straight-forward and economic method for
preparation of nano-Co3O4 and immobilized it on very cheap carbon electrode for evaluating its electrocatalytic
properties. Due to the high electrocatalytic properties, the prepared nano-Co3O4 could
potentially play an important role in various practical fields.