Surface active sites on Co3O4 nanobelt and nanocube model catalysts for CO oxidation

CO oxidation has been performed on Co₃O₄ nanobelts and nanocubes as model catalysts. The Co₃O₄ nanobelts which have a predominance of exposed {011} planes are more active than Co₃O₄ nanocubes with exposed {001} planes. Temperature programmed reduction of CO shows that Co₃O₄ nanobelts have stronger reducing properties than Co₃O₄ nanocubes. The essence of shape and crystal plane effect is revealed by the fact that turnover frequency of Co³⁺ sites of {011} planes on Co₃O₄ nanobelts is far higher than that of {001} planes on Co₃O₄ nanocubes.