Ultrathin mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheets-constructed hierarchical clusters as high rate capability and long life anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Herein, Ultrathin mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheets-constructed hierarchical clusters (UMCN-HCs) have been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent thermolysis treatment at 600°C in air. The products consist of cluster-like Co3O4 microarchitectures, which are assembled by numerous ultrathin mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheets. When tested as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, UMCN-HCs deliver a high reversible capacity of 1067mAhg−1 at a current density of 100mAg−1 after 100 cycles. Even at 2Ag−1, a stable capacity as high as 507mAhg−1 can be achieved after 500 cycles. The high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability, and good rate capability of UMCN-HCs may be attributed to their mesoporous sheet-like nanostructure. The sheet-layered structure of UMCN-HCs may buffer the volume change during the lithiation-delithiation process, and the mesoporous characteristic make lithium-ion transfer more easily at the interface between the active electrode and the electrolyte.