Role of exposed crystal facets in the atmospheric pressure CO hydrogenation on Co3O4 nanostructures

Co3O4 nanostructures with different exposed planes are studied for atmospheric pressure CO hydrogenation. Existence of different facets is characterized by HR-TEM and found Co3O4 - NSP (nanospheres) expose (112) facet, NB (nanobelts) exhibit (110) plane and (100) is the dominant surface facet in NC (nanocubes). Different catalytic activity is demonstrated by the specific facet of Co3O4 catalysts. CO hydrogenation is facet dependent and the catalytic activity follows the order of Co3O4-NB > Co3O4-NC > Co3O4-NSP.