Publication: Development of direct heating method for the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanowalls
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Date
2024-08-01
Authors
Ooi Chia Wen
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Abstract
In this research, cobalt-based nanomaterials were synthesized using the direct heating (DH) method. Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) is a black compound with a band gap ranging from approximately 1.48 eV to 2.19 eV. Traditional synthesis methods for Co3O4 nanomaterials, such as as the sol-gel method, hydrothermal method, green synthesis, and microwave-assisted method, typically involve high energy consumption and long processing times. The DH method was developed to synthesize Co3O4 nanomaterials on kanthal wire, offering a more energy-efficient and time-efficient alternative. Synthesis parameters, including the type of precursors, heating power, and heating duration, were systematically investigated to identify the optimal conditions for Co3O4 nanomaterial formation. Characterization techniques, such as XRD, FESEM, Raman spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, were employed to analyse the synthesized nanomaterials. XRD analysis confirmed that the as-grown nanomaterials were cobalt-based, specifically Co3O4, with an average particle size of 2104.29 nm ± 509.72 nm as determined by FESEM. The optimal synthesis parameters were using C4H6CoO4·4H2O precursor, a heating power of 30 W, and a heating duration of 20 min. The Co3O4 nanomaterials synthesized under these conditions exhibited a specific capacitance of 193.45 F/g. Additionally, the band gap of the synthesized Co3O4 nanowalls was in the range of 1.81 eV to 2.11 eV. However, the photodegradation efficiency of the Co3O4 nanowalls for methylene blue dye was relatively low, at 5.56%.