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Related Experiment Videos

Virus-directed formation of electrocatalytically active nanoparticle-based Co3O4 tubes.

A S Schenk1, S Eiben, M Goll

  • 1Institute of Polymer Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. anna.schenk@ipoc.uni-stuttgart.de sabine.ludwigs@ipoc.uni-stuttgart.de.

Nanoscale
|April 8, 2017
PubMed
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We developed a novel method to create cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4) using a bio-inspired templating approach with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). This method yields highly active electrocatalysts for water-splitting, outperforming commercial alternatives.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Catalysis

Background:

  • Spinel-type cobalt oxide (Co3O4) is a promising catalyst for clean energy applications, particularly electrocatalytic water-splitting.
  • Nanostructured Co3O4 offers a cost-effective alternative to precious metal catalysts like platinum and iridium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, bio-inspired templating strategy for synthesizing nanostructured Co3O4.
  • To control the morphology and structure of Co3O4 precursors and final products.
  • To evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized Co3O4 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

Main Methods:

  • Precipitation of basic cobalt carbonate using ammonium carbonate decomposition at room temperature.
  • Bio-inspired templating using rod-like tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) for ordered assembly of precursors.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Calcination of TMV/basic cobalt carbonate superstructures to form hierarchically-structured Co3O4 nanoparticles.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully synthesized sheet-like and microsphere structures of basic cobalt carbonate with surface protrusions.
    • Created complex tubular superstructures of TMV/basic cobalt carbonate via Co(ii) ion mediation.
    • Obtained hierarchically-structured Co3O4 comprising interconnected nanoparticles with retained gross morphology.
    • Demonstrated superior OER activity for TMV-templated Co3O4 compared to commercial nanopowders.

    Conclusions:

    • The bio-inspired templating approach using TMV provides an effective method for creating advanced nanostructured Co3O4.
    • The resulting Co3O4 materials exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction.
    • This strategy offers a pathway towards cost-efficient and high-performance catalysts for water-splitting.