Facile preparation of Co3O4 nanoparticles via thermal decomposition of Co(NO3)2 loading on C3N4

In this paper we report the facile preparation of Co3O4 nanoparticles via thermal decomposition of Co(NO3)2 loading on g-C3N4. The as synthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS and TEM techniques. The results indicate that the g-C3N4 decomposed completely with the cubic Co3O4 phase remaining during calcinations treatment process. The morphology and particle size of Co3O4 nanoparticles closely dependent on the amount of Co(NO3)2 loading on g-C3N4 and the calcination temperature. The worm-like and spherical Co3O4 nanoparticles could be obtained when the amount of Co(NO3)2 (calculated as Co) are about 10 wt.% and 30 wt.%, respectively. The morphology of Co3O4 obtained would change further to an irregular and un-uniform shape when the amount of Co(NO3)2 is over 50 wt.%.