Synthesis and their physicochemical behaviors of flower-like Co₃O₄ microspheres

The flower-like Co₃O₄ assembled with nano-leaves could be obtained through annealing the cobalt hydroxide carbonate precursor, which was first synthesized via one-pot hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis demonstrated the transition from the precursor of amorphous state to Co₃O₄ with cubic phase structure. XRD results indicated the increase in the calcination temperature from 300 to 400 °C for the precursor would bring about the increase in the crystallinity degree and ferromagnetic property of the products. The TG analysis demonstrated that as prepared Co₃O₄ samples for different calcination temperature had significant effect on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. And the decomposition temperature region of ammonium perchlorate could be decreased from 303-454 °C to 256-356 °C by the catalysis of Co₃O₄.