Preparation and catalytic performance of the Co3O4/AAO composite

• Colloidal monolayer template is prepared on AAO membrane to form Co3O4/AAO composite for the first time.
• The morphology can be controlled by changing the concentration of precursor.
• UV–vis spectrophotometer is used to study the catalytic property and the results show that this composite has enhanced catalytic activity.
• Comparative experiments indicate that amorphous alumina has catalytic performance as well.

The Co3O4/AAO composite with novel morphology was successfully prepared by the solution-dipping method and the calcination of cobalt acetate precursor at 400 °C for 2 h in air. Porous anodic alumina (AAO) thin film was selected as new substrate to support colloidal monolayer template. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that the morphology of the as-prepared product could be controlled by changing the concentration of precursor. Catalytic test shows that the obtained Co3O4/AAO composite has a high decolorization ratio in the degradation of methylene blue (MB), which reaches 97.79% in 140 min in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Comparative experiments show that this nanomaterial has enhanced catalytic performance.