Counterion-controlled synthesis of multifunctional iron cobalt mixed oxide laminar superstructures

Abstract

The design and fabrication of cost-effective multifunctional nanomaterials with well-defined ultrafine nanostructures remains a challenge. Herein, cobalt- and iron-based mixed oxide nanoclusters and laminar superstructures were successfully synthesized through a single step low temperature solution phase route by using good and poor solvent systems. The structure of the as-fabricated material is largely defined by the counterions of the precursor salts. The easily obtained unique FeCo-based mixed oxide nanoclusters and laminar superstructures are not only capable of catalysing the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under sunlight, but also behave as outstanding electrocatalysts towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The present findings offer a new insight to rationally design materials with desired structures and functions.