Synthesis of Perforated Polygonal Cobalt Oxides using a Carbon Nanofiber Template

Perforated polygonal cobalt oxide ($Co_3O_4$) is synthesized using electrospinning and a hydrothermal method followed by the removal of a carbon nanofiber (CNF) template. To investigate their formation mechanism, thermogravimetric analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are examined. To obtain the optimum condition of perforated polygonal $Co_3O_4$, we prepare three different weight ratios of the Co precursor and the CNF template: sample A (Co precursor:CNF template- 10:1), sample B (Co precursor:CNF template-3.2:1), and sample C (Co precursor:CNF template-2:1). Among them, sample A exhibits the perforated polygonal $Co_3O_4$ with a thin carbon layer (5.7-6.2 nm) owing to the removal of CNF template. However, sample B and sample C synthesized perforated round $Co_3O_4$ and destroyed $Co_3O_4$ powders, respectively, due to a decreased amount of Co precursor. The increased amount of the CNF template prevents the formation of polygonal $Co_3O_4$. For sample A, the optimized weight ratio of the Co precursor and CNF template may be related to the successful formation of perforated polygonal $Co_3O_4$. Thus, perforated polygonal $Co_3O_4$ can be applied to electrode materials of energy storage devices such as lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells.

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