Combustion agent mediated flash synthesis of porous MCo2O4 (M = Zn, Ni, Cu and Fe) via self-sustained decomposition of metal-organic complexes.

3D macro-/nanoporous spinel MCo 2 O 4 (M = Zn, Ni, Cu and Fe) have been successfully fabricated by means of an untemplate and flash synthesis via self-sustained decomposition of metal-organic complexes The effects of the combustion agent to metal nitrate ratio on the combustion behavior, phase and morphology of the products were studied. Pure cobaltites with the hierarchically porous morphology were obtained directly through the combustion of the precursors under fuel-lean conditions in one-step without further heat treatment. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM/TEM imaging, mercury intrusion porosimetry, which indicate that the products possess hierarchical porous structure. A possible forming mechanism was given based on the series of experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]