Self-assembling Co3O4 Nanorods Electrode with High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Efficient Electrocatalysts Toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The mesoporous Co3O4 nanorods were fabricated on a nickel foam conductive substrate following a facile general strategy of hydrothermal technique; then thermally annealed. The self-growth property without additives, the porous structure of Co3O4 nanorods observed from transmission electron microscopy, and the pore size distribution account for their exceptional electrochemical performances. As the anode for lithium-ion storage, the Co3O4 nanorods electrode exhibits prominent battery behaviors with high specific capacity, superior rate capability and excellent cycle life. To be specific, a high discharge capacity of 611 mAh g−1 will be retained after 70 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g−1. Besides, a discharge capacity up to 848 mAh g−1 even at 100 mA g−1 can be kept. Water oxidation electrocatalysts based on Co3O4 nanorods electrodes also exhibit a low overpotential of 383 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under long stability of 100,000 s. The present study confirmed a mesoporous Co3O4 nanorods electrode as a superb candidate for a high-performance anode in lithium storage and OER activity.