In situ generated 3D hierarchical Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid materials: self-assembled fabrication, morphological control and energy applications

A simple in situ self-assembly strategy for a novel series of highly ordered 3D hierarchical Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid materials with peculiar morphologies, uniform size and high quality has been successfully developed. The mechanisms of the morphology control, reaction process, product generatio...

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Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2019, Vol.7 (11), p.5967-5980
Main Authors: Miao, Qingqing, Du, Yanyan, Wang, Gongtang, Sun, Zhicheng, Zhao, Yuehan, Zhang, Suojiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonium
Ammonium perchlorates
Catalysis
Catalytic activity
Cobalt oxides
Decomposition
Digital imaging
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Electrolytic cells
Energy
Energy conversion efficiency
Exothermic reactions
Fabrication
Heat
Hybrid systems
Intermediates
Manganese dioxide
Mapping
Morphology
Perchlorate
Perchloric acid
Photoelectricity
Photovoltaic cells
Rocket propellants
Scanning electron microscopy
Self-assembly
Silicon
Solar cells
Solid rocket propellants
Substrates
Synergistic effect
Synthesis
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Summary:A simple in situ self-assembly strategy for a novel series of highly ordered 3D hierarchical Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid materials with peculiar morphologies, uniform size and high quality has been successfully developed. The mechanisms of the morphology control, reaction process, product generation, calcining process, as well as the morphology evolution of Co3O4, the intermediates of Co3O4@C and Co3O4@MnO2 hybrid materials, have been investigated and clarified in detail. The core–shell Co3O4@MnO2 hybrid architectures have the advantages of morphological features, synergistic effects between core and shell, alternative products of Co3O4@C@MnO2 or Co3O4@MnO2, and facilitate electrolyte reactions. The 3D hierarchical Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid materials are used, for the first time, for two typical Co-based energy applications in photoelectric conversion devices of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and the decomposition of an important solid rocket propellant, ammonium perchlorate (AP). With the 3D hierarchical Co3O4 core and ultrathin MnO2 shell, the developed hybrid materials exhibit superior performances and remarkable catalytic properties. As the alternative counter electrode of DSSCs, the developed Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid system exhibited an impressive performance with the conversion efficiency of 7.08%, which was improved by 26.4% and 13.3% as compared with the Co3O4 and Co3O4@C counterparts, respectively. As the catalyzer of AP decomposition, the Co3O4 material obviously decreased the decomposition temperatures by about 118–143 °C and increased the exothermic heat to 933–1228 J g−1. For the Co3O4@C counterpart, the decomposition temperatures were decreased by 120–131 °C with the increased exothermic heat of 1254–1306 J g−1. The addition of Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid materials decreased the decomposition temperatures by about 107–112 °C and remarkably increased the exothermic heat to 1311–1452 J g−1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first 3D hierarchical Co3O4@MnO2 core–shell hybrid material series developed in situ and used for the energy applications of DSSCs and AP decomposition. These results provide a simple and effective strategy for designing new types of 3D hierarchical hybrid materials towards high catalytic activity in energy applications.
ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/c8ta11487k