Shape-controlled fabrication of the porous Co3O4 nanoflower clusters for efficient catalytic oxidation of gaseous toluene.

Co(3)O(4) nanoflower clusters were fabricated by a simple low-temperature hydrothermal method. The properties of Co(3)O(4) nanomaterials were comprehensively determined by combining different analytical techniques. The self-assembled Co(3)O(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(3)O(4) nanoflower clusters was much superior to the Co(3)O(4) blocks under the same reaction conditions.