In this paper, the precursors were synthesized by microwave hydrothermal method using Co(NO(3))(2)center dot 6H(2)O as raw material, CO(NH(2))(2) and KOH as precipitants, respectively. The precursors and calcined products were characterized by XRD. FESEM, and BET-BJH. The results show that both constituent and synthetic condition can determine the products morphology. When using KOH as precipitant, hollow Co(3)O(4) nanorings were obtained whose precursor was synthesized at 140 degrees C for 3 h and calcined at 500 degrees C in air for 2 h. While using CO(NH)(2), Co(3)O(4) like-nanochains were obtained whose precursor was synthesized at 110 degrees C for 1 h and calcined at 420 degrees C in air for 2 h, and Co(3)O(4) nanosheets were obtained while their precursor was synthesized at 140 degrees C for 3 h and calcined at 500 degrees C in air for 2 h. The sensitivity test of Co(3)O(4) to alcohol reveals that the hollow Co(3)O(4) nanorings show the best sensitivity, porous Co(3)O(4) like-nanochains are superior to that of the porous nanosheets. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.