Electric Papers of Graphene-Coated Co3O4 Fibers for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

A facile strategy to synthesize the novel composite paper of graphene nanosheets (GNS) coated Co3O4 fibers is reported as an advanced anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The GNS were able to deposit onto Co3O4 fibers and form the coating via electrostatic interactions. The unique hybrid paper is evaluated as an anode electrode for LIBs, and it exhibits a very large reversible capacity (similar to 840 mA h g(-1) after 40 cycles), excellent cyclic stability and good rate capacity. The substantially excellent electrochemical performance of the graphene/Co3O4 composite paper is the result from its unique features. Notably, the flexible structure of graphenic scaffold and the strong interaction between graphene and Co3O4 fibers are beneficial for providing excellent electronic conductivity, short transportation length for lithium ions, and elastomeric space to accommodate volume varies upon Li+ insertion/extraction.