Hard-template-engaged formation of Co2V2O7 hollow prisms for lithium ion batteries

Highly uniform and monodispersed Co2V2O7 hollow nanoprisms are successfully fabricated via a simple hard-template-engaged strategy. In such synthesis, Co acetate hydroxide plays the important role of not only the cobalt source, but also the sacrificial template. After coating with a carbon layer, the asobtained Co2V2O7 hollow nanoprisms exhibit apparently enhanced lithium-ion- battery performances. It has shown a high specific capacity of around 946 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), excellent cycling stability up to 300 cycles at a current density of 1 A g(-1), and superior rate performance, which is much better than carbon coated solid Co2V2O7 samples.