Fabrication of Co3O4 nanorods and its catalytic oxidation of gaseous toluene

Abstract

Co3O4 nanorods were fabricated by the low-temperature hydrothermal method. The Co3O4 nanorods were formed through adding a small amount of surfactants (Polyvinylpyrrolidone, referred to as PVP) and reacting at 95°C. Controlling the reaction time of preparation and pH of the solution can affect the properties of Co3O4 nanorods. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proved the as-prepared samples were Co3O4 nanorods in cubic phase. Hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiment results showed that the size and pore structure of Co3O4 nanorods could be affected by different reaction time and pH, and led to the difference in specific surface area. The catalytic properties of Co3O4 nanorods were examined by degradation of gaseous toluene. The results showed that conversion of toluene was affected under low temperature by Co3O4 nanorods, which were prepared by different reaction time and pH. When the temperature was below 260°C, the catalyst prepared in alkaline condition had the highest activity. However, when the temperature was higher than 260°C, the conversion of toluene was hot significantly different.