Deposition of Co3O4 nanoparticles onto exfoliated graphite oxide sheets

Abstract

A composite of graphite oxide (GO)-supported Co₃O₄nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared through a facile chemical route. The lamellar GO sheets in this composite were exfoliated and decorated randomly by Co₃O₄ particles with an average size of 100 nm. The formation route to anchor Co₃O₄ NPs onto the exfoliated GO sheets was proposed as the intercalation and adsorption of cobalt ions into the layered GO sheets, followed by the nucleation and growth of Co₃O₄ crystals, resulting in the exfoliation of GO sheets. The nanocomposite reveals unusual catalytic effect for the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate due to the concerted effects of GO and Co₃O₄ NPs or their integrated properties. This methodology made the synthesis of GO-NP composites possible and may be further extended to prepare more complicated nanocomposites based on GO sheets for technological applications.