Anion-dependent topochemical conversion of CoAl-LDH microplates to hierarchical superstructures of CoOOH nanoplates with controllable orientation

Hierarchical superstructures of laterally or vertically oriented CoOOH nanoplates were prepared by topochemical conversion of CoAl-LDH microplates intercalated with CO32- or SO42- anions, respectively. The superstructure of vertically oriented nanoplates exhibited better electrocatalytic performance as compared to the lateral counterpart, attributable to the enlarged accessible surface area and promoted reaction kinetics.