Topochemical Synthesis of Cobalt Oxide-Based Porous Nanostructures for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 1596 - 1604
• Main Authors: Li, Cheng Chao, Yin, Xiao Ming, Li, Qiu Hong, Chen, Li Bao, Wang, Tai Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.02.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: batteries; Chemistry; Cobalt; cobalt oxide; Cobalt oxides; Hydroxides; lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanostructure; nanostructures; Nanowires; porous materials; Precursors; Rechargeable batteries
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201002275

Two kinds of topochemical conversion routes from cobalt hydroxide precursors to cobalt oxide‐based porous nanostructures are presented: pyrolysis in air and hydrothermal treatment by the Kirkendall diffusion effect. These cobalt hydroxide precursors were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach with sodium acetate as mineralizer at 200 °C. Detailed proof indicates that the process of cobalt hydroxide precursor growth is dominated by a nucleation, dissolution, renucleation, growth, and exfoliation mechanism. By the topochemical conversion processes several Co3O4 nanostructures, such as cobalt oxide‐coated cobalt hydroxide carbonate nanowires, cobalt oxide nanotubes, hollow cobalt oxide spheres, and porous cobalt oxide nanowires, have been synthesized. The obtained Co3O4 nanostructures have also been evaluated as the anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries. It was found that the as‐prepared Co3O4 nanostructures exhibited high reversible capacity and good cycle performance due to their porous structure and small size. Battery anodes: Two topochemical conversion routes from cobalt hydroxide precursors to cobalt oxide‐based porous nanostructures are presented: pyrolysis in air and hydrothermal treatment by the Kirkendall diffusion effect. When tested as the anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, these porous Co3O4 nanostructures exhibit excellent cycling performance, good rate capacity, and enhanced lithium storage capacity (see picture).