The use of templates to assist and possess a control over the synthesis of nanomaterials has been an attractive option to achieve this goal. Here we have used sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to act as a template for the low temperature synthesis of cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) nanostructures. The use of SDS has led to tune the morphology, and the product was in the form of "cotton-like" nanostructures instead of connected nanowires. Moreover, the variation of the amount of the SDS used was found to affect the charge transfer process in the Co₃O₄. Using Co₃O₄ synthesized using the SDS for sensing of cholesterol was investigated. The use of the Co₃O₄ synthesized using the SDS was found to yield an improved cholesterol biosensor compared to Co₃O₄ synthesized without the SDS. The improvement of the cholesterol sensing properties upon using the SDS as a template was manifested in increasing the sensitivity and the dynamic range of detection. The results achieved in this study indicate the potential of using template assisted synthesis of nanomaterials in improving some properties, e.g., cholesterol sensing.
Keywords: C3O4 nanostructures; cholesterol biosensor; hydrothermal synthesis; potentiometric processes; surfactant.