High chemiluminescence performance of a macroscale Co3O4 assemblies-based sensor as a fast selection mode for catalysts

Abstract

Novel porous Co₃O₄ cubes are prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and a Co₃O₄-based chemiluminescence (CL) sensor is fabricated. The samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (ED), N₂ adsorption, CO- and O₂-temperature programmed desorption (CO- and O₂-TPD), etc. The CL properties of the sensors are measured, and the catalytic oxidation properties of the samples are also investigated. The results show that the Co₃O₄ cubes are assembled from subunits of nanoparticles, which results in porous structure. Compared with the bulk Co₃O₄-based sensor, the porous Co₃O₄ one has a higher CL intensity and a higher catalytic oxidation activity, which has been ascribed to the porous structure and the high surface area. Most importantly, the Co₃O₄ assemblies-based sensor can be used as an effective method for judging catalyst activity or selecting excellent catalysts