[Co(NH3)4CO3]NO3 complex was used for synthesizing Co3O4 hollow microspheres.
Co3O4 hollow microspheres were obtained by a template-free hydrothermal route.
Co3O4 microspheres show a weak ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature.
This method is low-cost and suitable for production of Co3O4 microspheres.
Co3O4 microspheres show high photocatalytic activity for methylene blue degradation.