Hierarchical CoO microflower film with excellent electrochemical lithium/sodium storage performance

Hierarchically nanostructured transition metal oxides are very attractive for electrochemical energy storage systems owing to the enhanced electrochemical performance induced by their unique microstructures. Herein, a hierarchical CoO microflower film is prepared by a low-temperature solvothermal method with subsequent annealing treatment. The CoO microflowers with an average size of about 6 mm consist of hexagonal nanosheets with a loose exterior layer, exhibiting a unique hierarchical micro-nanostructure. The hierarchical CoO microflower film electrode delivers a high capacity of 1297.9 mA h g(-1) after 500 cycles at 454.5 mA g(-1), manifesting superior lithium storage performance. The phenomenon of the lithium storage capacity increase during the initial 150 cycles is analyzed by comparing the galvanostatic discharge/charge voltage profiles at different cycles. For sodium storage, the CoO microflower film electrode shows a larger capacity of 277.8 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at a current density of 90.9 mA g(-1). Based on the physical characterization results of the cycled film electrodes, the sodium storage mechanism of CoO is clarified.