Cobalt imidazoledicarboxylate coordination complex microspheres: stable intercalation materials for lithium and sodium-ion batteries

A simple and versatile method for preparation of cobalt 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate microspheres is developed. The cobalt 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate complex is a kind of stable intercalation materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries. When tested as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the coordination complex microspheres based composite electrode delivers a second discharge capacity of 595.4 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 1 Ah g^?1. A reversible capacity of 416.1 mAh g^?1 remained after 143 cycles, while a reversible capacity of 259.9 mAh g^?1 remained after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.5 A g^?1. In addition, it can also serve as stable anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Research based on the topics would shed some light on the discovery of new alternative intercalation materials to graphite.