Hierarchically Porous CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) Microflowers: a Superior Anode Material for Li-ion Batteries and a Stable Cathode Electrocatalyst for Li-O sub(2) Batteries

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2016-08, Vol.208, p.148-155
• Main Authors: Niua, Feier, Wanga, Nana, Yuea, Jie, Chena, Liang, Yanga, Jian, Qiana, Yitai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Carbon; Catalysts; Cathodes; Lithium-ion batteries; Metal air batteries; Nanostructure; Rechargeable batteries
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.05.026

Hierarchical CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) microflowers (CCFs) self-assembled by thin and porous nanosheets were synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction followed by a low-temperature calcination. The porous nanosheets not only shorten the Li-ion diffusion distances and tolerate the volume variation upon cycling, but also enhance the transportation of oxygen and Li super(+) ions, and have abundance of active sites on the surface. Thus, it has been explored as the superior anode material in Li-ion batteries and as the cathode catalyst in Li-O sub(2) batteries. Both of applications exhibit the remarkable electrochemical properties. In lithium ion batteries, CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) micro-flowers deliver a specific lithium storage capacity of 871 mA h g super(-1), after 300 cycles at 100 mA g super(-1). Even at a high rate of 1 A g super(-1), the reversible capacity of the CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) microflowers still remains at 612 mA h g super(-1) after 500 cycles. In Li-O sub(2) batteries, CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) microflowers as the cathode catalyst last 120 cycles, much longer than highly aggregated CuCo sub(2)O sub(4) and pure carbon.