Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Co3O4 Sheets for Reversible Li Storage: Regulation of Structure and Performance

To elucidate the relationship between the structure and Listorage performances, a controllable and porous nanosheet-shaped Co3O4 material (Co3O4-AS) was constructed from nano-beta-Co(OH)(2) precursor, which was obtained from a common Co (NO3)(2) solution without any templates under microwave radiation conditions. A probable assembly mechanism is proposed on the basis of various analyses and comparisons. After its structure was characterized by using SEM, XRD, TEM, and N-2 absorption/desorption isotherms, Co3O4-AS was effec-tively applied an a highly reversible Li-storage anode in a lithium-ion battery, with a reversible capacity of 920 mAhg(-1) after 100 cycles and even a capacity of 445 mAhg(-1) at 5C. The improved properties could be attributed to the remarkable synergistic effects between porous structures and sheet-shaped morphologies, resulting in short and facile diffusion, good electronic-ionic conductivity, and structural stability during cycling.