Co3O4 nanoparticles were size- and shape-selectively
synthesized in a solvothermal approach by the thermal decomposition
of either cobalt(II) acetylacetonate [Co(acac)2] or cobalt(II)
nitrate [Co(NO3)2] in different solvents followed
by calcination under air. Spherical, cubic, octahedral, and platelike
nanoparticles with narrow size distributions and sizes ranging from
8 to 90 nm were formed in high yield. The nanoparticles were characterized
by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy,
energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
The distinctive influence of the size and shape of the nanoparticles
on the electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen evolution reaction
is also demonstrated.