Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of Irregular Flower-like Co3O4 Microspheres by Microwave Assisted Method

Irregular flower-like Co3O4 microspheres were obtained by annealing the precursor at 500 ℃ in air, in which the precursor was synthesized by using cobalt nitrate and benzoyl acetone as raw materials under microwave irradiation. The microstructure and morphology of sample were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. The as-prepared irregular flower-like Co3O4 microspheres were used as anode materials, whose charge/discharge properties and cycle performance were examined in detail. The electrochemical test results showed that the first charge specific capacity reached 816 mA•h/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g. After 100 cycles, the specific capacity retention rate was 89.2%. Meanwhile, the rate performance test results demonstrated that when the current density was increased from 0.1 A/g to 1 A/g, the specific capacity exhibited a certain attenuation trend. But when the current density was restored to 0.1 A/g, the specific capacity was almost at its original level. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies revealed that the internal resistance before circulation was 335 Ω, however, it was reduced to 240 Ω after 50 cycles. All these suggested that the irregular flower-like Co3O4 microspheres had a high charge specific capacity, good cycle performance and excellent rate property. © 2018, Editorial Office of FINE CHEMICALS. All right reserved.