Self-assembled 3D flower-like perovskite PbTiO3 nanostructures and their application in the catalytic oxidation of CO

3D flower-like PbTiO3 nanostructures self-assembled with (101) nanosheets have been realized by the hydrothermal treatment of the mixture of the lead and titanium hydroxides under the effect of high KOH concentration. The layered K2Ti6O13 formed in situ under the effect of the high KOH concentration plays an important role in the crystallization of the primary PbTiO3 nanosheets and the further self-assembly of the 3D flower-like perovskite PbTiO3 nanostructures. The self-assembled 3D flower-like perovskite PbTiO3 nanostructures express good mesoporous structures and high specific surface area. In consequence, the 3D flower-like perovskite PbTiO3 nanostructures as supports show excellent ability to enhance the catalytic activity of Pt. Over the Pt/PbTiO3 nanoflowers, the CO instantaneously completely converts to CO2 at a very low temperature of ca. 107 degrees C facilitating the catalytic purification of the automotive exhaust produced in the cold-start period.