Self-assembled porous hierarchical-like CoO@C microsheets transformed from inorganic–organic precursors and their lithium-ion battery application

Abstract

Self-assembled porous hierarchical-like CoO@C nanoarchitectures have been fabricated on a large scale through a facile solution-phase process and subsequent annealing of the inorganic–organic Co(OH)₂–DS (dodecyl sulphate) precursor nanocomposites. The as-formed porous hierarchical-like CoO@C nanohybrid as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries can exhibit not only a highly reversible capacity but also excellent cycling performance as well as good rate capability. Results show that these hierarchical microsheets made of interconnected CoO tiny nanoparticles are uniformly encapsulated within two-dimensional thin carbon layers. The synergistic effect of both the hierarchical nanoarchitecture and conducting carbon layer support contributes to the enhanced electrochemical performances of the hybrid CoO@C electrode. Importantly, the process to fabricate such a hierarchical nanostructure is facile, low-cost, and scalable, providing a universal approach for the rational design and engineering of self-assembled hierarchical-like electrode materials with enhanced performance, which may have utilities in other applications such as catalysis and sensors.