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.