CoO/Co3O4/graphene nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

CoO/Co3O4/graphene nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through an easy, accessible method followed by annealing treatment. Graphene was used as the appropriate carrier to load CoO/Co3O4 nanoparticles because of its high surface area. The CoO/Co304/graphene nanocomposites were then tested as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Results showed that the nanocomposites led to high capacity, delivering initial discharge charge capacities of 1093.4 and 825.3 mAh.g(-1), with an initial coulombic efficiency of 75.5%. The nanocomposite electrode showed excellent rate capability and impressive cyclability, as well as a high reversible capacity of 695.4 mAh.g(-1) after 70 cycles at a discharge charge current density of 0.5 degrees C (1 degrees C = 890 rnA g-1). The excellent electrochemical performance was ascribed to the CoO nanoparticles and graphene. By contrast, pristine Co304 can maintain only 339.7 mAh.g(-1) after 70 cycles, indicating very poor cycling performance because of the huge volume change during cycling. These results revealed that the nanocomposites were excellent anode material for LIBs. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.