Co3O4 nanoparticles/Bi2O3 nanosheets: One step synthesis, high-efficiency thermal catalytic performance, and catalytic mechanism research

Abstract

Co3O4 nanoparticles/Bi2O3 nanosheets were prepared by one-step method and used as catalysts for thermal decomposition of isopropanol. The Co3O4 nanoparticles/Bi2O3 nanosheets could be obtained with excellent distribution and high specific surface area of 58.1 m2·g−1, when the calcination temperature was 400°C. The Co3O4/Bi2O3 nanostructures showed an enhanced thermal catalytic isopropanol decomposition performance than the Co3O4 nanoparticles. Their enhanced thermal catalytic activity was mainly attributed to the following two points. The existence of oxygen vacancies on the sample surface was conducive to the thermal catalytic reaction. The synergistic effect of Co3O4/Bi2O3 was contributed to the generation of oxygen vacancies and further improved the thermal catalytic activity of the samples. After 50 hours of catalytic reaction, the thermal catalytic activity of Co3O4/Bi2O3 nanostructures no longer significantly decreased suggesting their good stability. This Co3O4/Bi2O3 with high thermal catalytic activity and excellent reusability would have a good application prospect in the decomposition of gaseous pollutants.