Shape-controlled fabrication of the porous Co ₃O ₄ nanoflower clusters for efficient catalytic oxidation of gaseous toluene

Co ₃O ₄ nanoflower clusters were fabricated by a simple low-temperature hydrothermal method. The properties of Co ₃O ₄ nanomaterials were comprehensively determined by combining different analytical techniques. The self-assembled Co ₃O ₄ nanoflower clusters had good crystallinity and porous structure. They were utilized as the catalyst for the degradation of gaseous toluene. The experimental results showed that the catalytic activity of the as-prepared Co ₃O ₄ nanoflower clusters was much superior to the Co ₃O ₄ blocks under the same reaction conditions. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.