Synthesis of 2D/2D Structured Mesoporous Co3O4 Nanosheet/N‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites as a Highly Stable Negative Electrode for Lithium Battery Applications |
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| Authors: | Palanichamy Sennu Hyo Sang Kim Jae Youn An Dr. Vanchiappan Aravindan Prof. Yun‐Sung Lee |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Applied Chemical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea;2. Energy Research Institute@NTU (ERI@N), Nanyang Technological University, Research Techno Plaza, Singapore, Singapore |
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| Abstract: | Mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4‐NS) and nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (N‐rGO) are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach, and the N‐rGO/Co3O4‐NS composite is formulated through an infiltration procedure. Eventually, the obtained composites are subjected to various characterization techniques, such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, surface area analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and TEM. The lithium‐storage properties of N‐rGO/Co3O4‐NS composites are evaluated in a half‐cell assembly to ascertain their suitability as a negative electrode for lithium‐ion battery applications. The 2D/2D nanostructured mesoporous N‐rGO/Co3O4‐NS composite delivered a reversible capacity of about 1305 and 1501 mAh g?1 at a current density of 80 mA g?1 for the 1st and 50th cycles, respectively. Furthermore, excellent cyclability, rate capability, and capacity retention characteristics are noted for the N‐rGO/Co3O4‐NS composite. This improved performance is mainly related to the existence of mesoporosity and a sheet‐like 2D hierarchical morphology, which translates into extra space for lithium storage and a reduced electron pathway. Also, the presence of N‐rGO and carbon shells in Co3O4‐NS should not be excluded from such exceptional performance, which serves as a reliable conductive channel for electrons and act as synergistically to accommodate volume expansion upon redox reactions. Ex‐situ TEM, impedance spectroscopy, and XPS, are also conducted to corroborate the significance of the 2D morphology towards sustained lithium storage. |
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| Keywords: | cobalt electrochemistry lithium-ion batteries mesoporous materials nanostructures |
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