Octahedral Cu2O@Co(OH)2 Nanocages with Hierarchical Flake-Like Walls and Yolk-Shell Structures for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity

Graphical Yolk-shell nanocages : Unique octahedral yolk-shell Cu 2 O@Co(OH) 2 nanocages composed of crystalline Cu 2 O core and amorphous Co(OH) 2 shell are fabricated by a facile Cu 2 O self-templated strategy at room temperature. The as-prepared yolk-shell Cu 2 O@Co(OH) 2 nanocages demonstrate superior electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation due to the sufficient active sites and large surface area, synergistic effect between Cu 2 O and Co(OH) 2 , which are benefited from the special yolk-shell nanocages. Unique octahedral yolk-shell Cu 2 O@Co(OH) 2 nanocages are synthesized by a facile Cu 2 O self-templated strategy as efficient glucose oxidation electrocatalysts. Amorphous Co(OH) 2 nanoflakes are formed as octahedral shells through coordinating etching conversion from part of Cu 2 O templates. The un-etched crystalline Cu 2 O octahedrons are then remained as cores and voids exist between the cores and shells. The special structure endow these yolk-shell heterostructure nanocages with abundant active sites, large surface area, and synergistic effect between Cu 2 O and Co(OH) 2 . The octahedral yolk-shell Cu 2 O@Co(OH) 2 nanocages demonstrate superior electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation in terms of high sensitivity of 1340 μA cm −2 mM −1 , low detection limit of 2 μM, wide linear sensing range, and long-term stability. This strategy might shed lights on the synthesis of various yolk-shell heterostructure nanocages with controllable structures and enhanced catalytic performances.