Catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde over a Au@Co3O4 nanocomposite catalyst enhanced by visible light: moisture indispensability and reaction mechanism

A Au@Co 3 O 4 core–shell nanocomposite was prepared for the mineralization of formaldehyde under dark conditions and visible-light irradiation. The Au@Co 3 O 4 core–shell nanocomposite has significantly promoted the photocatalytic formaldehyde oxidation.