The synthesis of flower shaped microstructures of Co3O4 by solvothermal approach and investigation of its catalytic activity

•Flower like microstructures.•Prepared by solvothermal method.•Effect of solvent on morphology.•Formation mechanism.•Catalytic activity.

A unique flower like microstructures of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) are prepared by solvothermal method in two steps: In first step the Co(OH)2 micro particles are generated and in second step Co3O4 flower like microstructures are obtained after annealing for 2 h. The final product of Co3O4 is subjected to different instrumental analysis to investigate its morphology and other properties. It is clear from the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) that the product is flower like in shape with a size of approximately 10–15 μm from sideway view. It is also observed that these structures are composed of nanosheets, which are further organized into layer by layer pattern to form a specific flower like morphology. The experimental data proved that the solvent and temperature played a significant role in the formation of such flowers like morphology under provided reaction conditions. These microstructures have shown remarkable catalytic activity for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP).

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