Versatile by design: Hollow Co3O4 architectures for superior lithium storage prepared by alternative green Pechini method

• Published in: Applied surface science 2020-04, Vol.510, p.145431, Article 145431
• Main Authors: Patrinoiu, Greta, Rodriguez, Jassiel R., Wang, Yifan, Birjega, Ruxandra, Osiceanu, Petre, Musuc, Adina M., Qi, Zhimin, Wang, Haiyan, Pol, Vilas G., Calderon-Moreno, Jose M., Carp, Oana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Citric acid; Cobalt oxide; Cycling stability; Li-ion battery; Open-hollow spheres
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.145431

[Display omitted] •Alternative green Pechini method use fructose as polymerizing agent.•Filigree-like wrinkled Co3O4 multi-shells assemble into hollow spheres structure.•Ridged shells allow for additional free paths of reversible lithiation-delithiation.•Progressively more effective Li storage (848 mA h g−1) during 250 cycles at 0.5 C.•Structural design by hollow shells increases active surface improving cycling performance. Co3O4 open hollow structures were synthesized by a new green alternative of Pechini method that implies three simple steps: (i) an initial formation of Co2+- citric soluble coordination compounds, (ii) hydrothermal processing (180 °C) in the presence of fructose followed by (iii) air thermal processing of the as-obtained precursor. Benefiting from its exclusive structural features, this appealing hollow Co3O4 material demonstrated superior specific capacity, rate performance and cycling stability (specific capacity of 848 mA h g−1 at an applied C-rate of 0.5 C with a coulombic efficiency of 98% after 250 cycles) in comparison with multi-shelled hollow spheres obtained in the absence of citric acid (525 mA h g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 97% recorded under the same conditions).