Hierarchical porous Co3O4 spheres fabricated by modified solvothermal method as anode material in Li-ion batteries

Hierarchical porous Co3O4 spheres were synthesized by a solvothermal method followed by high-temperature calcination. XRD, SEM, TEM and electrochemical tests were used to study the structure and performance of the hierarchical porous Co3O4 spheres. The results show that the Co3O4 synthesized at a calcination temperature of 700 degrees C (Co3O4-700) is micro-sized spheres (1-2 mu m) consisting of plentiful nanoparticles (50-200 nm) and numerous pores (similar to 100 nm). Due to its numerous porous morphology, the Co3O4-700 anode exhibits the highest cycling performance with excellent reversible discharge and charge specific capacities of 745 and 755 mA.h/g at the current density of 100 mA/g after 100 charge-discharge cycles, respectively.