Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 nanostructures by using cobalt hydroxide as a precursor

Abstract

Cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles were prepared through the use of a two-step reaction, template- and surfactant-free, using cobalt chloride with ammonia solution at room temperature. The prepared materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles can be easily converted to cobalt oxide nanoparticles by calcining at 500 °C for 2 h. The growth mechanism of the synthesized nanoparticles are also discussed in detail based on the experimental results. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and applied to construct an electrochemical sensor. The obtained cobalt oxide-modified GCE showed one pair of redox peaks and high catalytic activity for the oxidation of Levodopa and Serotonin.