A two dimensionally assembled monolayer of hexagonal convexo-convex β-cobalt hydroxide nanoplates as a self-disposable sacrificial epi-template leads to a highly vertical alignment of zinc oxide nanorods array having a good electrical contact with metal or semiconductor layer on a substrate in a hydrothermal process.

Cage-shaped proteins with an affinity for carbonaceous materials were constructed and used to assemble a nanostructure in which single-walled carbon nanotubes are surrounded by cobalt oxide nanoparticles with nanometre gaps. By changing the size of proteins and materials incorporated inside the cavity, similar structures with distinctively different properties can be fabricated.

The spinel cobalt oxide Co3O4 is a magnetic semiconductor containing cobalt ions in Co2+ and Co3+ oxidation states. We have studied the electronic, magnetic, and bonding properties of Co3O4 using density functional theory (DFT) at the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA), GGA+U, and PBE0 hybrid functional levels. The GGA correctly predicts Co3O4 to be a semiconductor but severely underestim...

The reported catalytic system demonstrates the possibility of efficient mass production of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-HBA) from inexpensive raw materials. The direct coupling of propylene oxide, water, and CO was catalyzed by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cobalt tetracarbonyl ([Bmim][Co(CO)4]) ionic liquid to form 3-HBA with >99% conversion (49% selectivity) under mild conditions.