Synthesis and catalytic property of facet-controlled Co3O4 structures enclosed by (111) and (113) facets

Co3O4 microparticles, with many smooth quadrihedrons on the surface, were hydrothermally synthesized under the influence of EDTA(2-) anions. Due to the excellent chelating and capping ability of EDTA(2-), the as-obtained Co3O4 microparticles were mainly enclosed by (111) and (113) facets or their equivalent facets. On the basis of condition-dependent experiments, a dehydration condensation reaction assisted by the limitation effects of EDTA(2-) adsorbed on the surfaces of Co3O4 was proposed to explain the growth process of the cubic crystalline Co3O4 microparticles. The as-obtained Co3O4 microparticles could catalyze the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) effectively due to the exposure of the high energy facets.