A general synthesis of transition metal oxides with assistance of organic amines and their electrocatalytic properties

Several transition metal oxides, including α-Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , Co 3 O 4 , NiO, CuO and ZnO, were synthesized via an easily controlled hydrothermal method at assistance of organic amine (cyclohexylamine or triethylamine). The synthesized samples were identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High-resolution Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), N 2 adsorption/desorption measurement. The resultant metal oxides displayed various morphologies in shape. The as-prepared samples were used as electrocatalysts (CuO was excluded) modified on a glassy carbon electrode for p -nitrophenol reduction in a basic solution. Fe 3 O 4 and Co 3 O 4 samples showed higher catalytic activities.