@article{scholars13452, publisher = {Elsevier B.V.}, journal = {Applied Catalysis B: Environmental}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.118246}, title = {Enhanced catalyst dispersion and structural control of Co3O4-silica nanocomposites by rapid thermal processing}, volume = {262}, note = {cited By 9}, abstract = {We synthesized cobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) silica nanocomposites based on the conventional tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) monomer and ethoxy polysiloxane (ES40) oligomer by sol-gel chemistry coupled with rapid thermal process (RTP). The physicochemical properties and structural formation of cobalt oxide silica nanocomposites were comprehensive characterized. By using ES40, well-controlled, homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion and size of Co3O4 with 5 nm within the silica matrix were achieved leading to fractal-like morphology. The concentration of the Co3O4 nanocatalyst was also significantly enhanced by more than 50 folds. Fenton-like HCO3{\^a}??/H2O2 catalytic system using acid orange 7 and nanocomposites was examined for organic degradation. 98 AO7 and naphthalene intermediates degradation efficiency was achieved after 20 min with ES40-derived catalyst, which was three to ten folds faster than that of the TEOS-derived catalyst and the commercial Co3O4 catalyst. The combined use of ES40 sol-gel and RTP enabled a simple way to nanomaterial preparation and lowers overall processing time. {\^A}{\copyright} 2019 Elsevier B.V.}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073254326&doi=10.1016\%2fj.apcatb.2019.118246&partnerID=40&md5=e738be75cac536e2f040ddfd2cd56122}, issn = {09263373}, author = {Liu, L. and Ding, J. and Sarrigani, G. V. and Fitzgerald, P. and Aljunid Merican, Z. M. and Lim, J.-W. and Tseng, H.-H. and Xie, F. and Zhang, B. and Wang, D. K.}, keywords = {Catalysis; Degradation; Nanocatalysts; Nanocomposites; Naphthalene; Oxidation; Physicochemical properties; Rapid thermal processing; Silica; Silicones; Sol-gel process; Sol-gels; Structural dynamics, Degradation efficiency; Fenton reactions; Homogeneous nanoparticles; Organic degradation; Silica nanocomposites; Structural control; Structural formation; Tetraethyl orthosilicates, Cobalt compounds} }