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. [media not available: see fulltext]