Synthesis of Hollow Co Structures with Netlike Framework

Hollow Co structures with the size of 4-10 microm were fabricated by a simple solvothermal process using stearic acid as surfactant. Cobalt stearate formed at the initial stage and further self-assembled to micelles as a soft template. This precursor controlled the growth rate of Co crystal to form the primary nanorods attaching on the surface of the micelles. These nanorods then assembled into hollow Co spheres with a dense shell. Because of the acidic etching effect of stearic acid, however, the hollow Co spheres were further developed to Co nests constructed by netlike frameworks. Stearic acid acted as structure-directing and acidic etching agents in the formation of these novel hollow structures constructed by nanorods. The Co nests showed quite promising catalytic performance in hydrogenolysis of glycerol, demonstrating the potential application in heterogeneous catalysis.