Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in ordered mesoporous carbon with enhanced performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries

A Co3O4/ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) nanocomposite, in which Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), with an average size of about 10 nm homogeneously embedded in the OMC framework, are prepared for use as an anode material in Li-ion batteries. The composite is prepared by a one-pot synthesis based on the solvent evaporation-induced co-self-assembly of a phenolic resol, a triblock copolymer F127, and Co(NO3)2·6H2O, followed by carbonization and oxidation. The resulting material has a high reversible capacity of ~1,025 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. The enhanced cycling stability and rate capability of the composite can be attributed to the combined mesoporous nanostructure which provides efficient pathways for Li-ion transport and the homogeneous distribution of the Co3O4 NPs in the pore wall of the OMC, which prevents aggregation. These findings suggest that the OMC has promise for use as a carbon metric for metals and metal oxides as an anode material in high performance Li-ion batteries.