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Solvothermal Synthesis of Uniform Co 3 O 4 /C Hollow Quasi‐Nanospheres for Enhanced Lithium Ion Intercalation Applications
Author(s) -
Liu Jun,
Wan Yanling,
Liu Chunping,
Liu Wei,
Ji Shaomin,
Zhou Yichun,
Wang Jinbin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201200486
Subject(s) - lithium (medication) , electrolyte , chemical engineering , ostwald ripening , solvothermal synthesis , nanoparticle , overpotential , electrochemistry , carbon fibers , intercalation (chemistry) , electrode , chemistry , porosity , materials science , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , composite number , organic chemistry , composite material , medicine , engineering , endocrinology
Nanostructured hollow electrodes can greatly improve the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries by reducing the diffusion distance for lithium ion transport, providing more freedom for volume change, which can reduce the overpotential and allow better reaction kinetics at the electrode surface. In this communication, we report the synthesis of carbon‐coated single‐crystalline Co 3 O 4 porous and hollow quasi‐nanospheres by an in situ carbon‐coating and Ostwald ripening solvothermal process. The process of structure evolution from carbon‐coated solid nanocubes to porous and hollow quasi‐nanospheres was demonstrated with SEM and TEM images after different solvothermal reaction times. The carbon‐coated porous and hollow structure facilitates lithium ion transport from the electrolyte solution to the electrode, increases the electronic conductivity of the electrodes, which leads to the formation of uniform and thin solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) films on the surface, and maintains the integrity of the nanoparticles. As a result, these carbon‐coated Co 3 O 4 porous and hollow quasi‐nanospheres exhibit good recyclability and high rate capability (629 and 256 mA h g –1 at 2 C and 15 C, respectively).