3D Interconnected Networks of Graphene and Flower-Like Cobalt Oxide Microstructures with Improved Lithium Storage

A reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based 3D architecture with unique flower-like cobalt oxide microstructures, uniformly embedded in a graphene hydrogel matrix (CoO-GHG) resulting in completely interconnected structures, is fabricated. The self-assembled 3D architecture with improved porosity and conductivity exhibits excellent electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, with high reversible specific capacity (1010 mAh g(-1) over 100 cycles), a long cycling lifetime, and good rate capability. The exceptional performance results from the unique 3D structure of the hybrid CoO-GHG, with highly dispersed flower-like CoO on a conducting graphene network, providing more accessible surface sites for large lithiation/delithiation with minimum volume expansion and imparting good conductivity and short diffusion length for Li+ ions. Electrochemical studies demonstrate that these 3D architectured electrodes are promising as efficient anodes for high-performance lithium-ion battery devices.