Interface-mediated formation of basic cobalt carbonate/polyethyleneimine composite microscrolls by strain-induced self-rolling†
Abstract
Polyethyleneimine aids the gas diffusion precipitation of nano-structured basic cobalt carbonate sheets at the air/solution interface. Upon drying, these mineral films undergo self-rolling into 3D coiled structures. Exploring this principle for the design of self-supported functional materials, porous Co3O4 spirals composed of interconnected nanoparticles are obtained by thermal conversion.