Self-assembling Co₃O₄ Nanorods Electrode with High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Efficient Electrocatalysts Toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanorods were fabricated on a nickel foam conductive substrate following a facile general strategy of hydrothermal technique; then thermally annealed. The self-growth property without additives, the porous structure of Co₃O₄ nanorods observed from transmission electron microscopy, and the pore size distribution account for their exceptional electrochemical performances. As the anode for lithium-ion storage, the Co₃O₄ nanorods electrode exhibits prominent battery behaviors with high specific capacity, superior rate capability and excellent cycle life. To be specific, a high discharge capacity of 611 mAh g⁻¹ will be retained after 70 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g⁻¹. Besides, a discharge capacity up to 848 mAh g⁻¹ even at 100 mA g⁻¹ can be kept. Water oxidation electrocatalysts based on Co₃O₄ nanorods electrodes also exhibit a low overpotential of 383 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under long stability of 100,000 s. The present study confirmed a mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanorods electrode as a superb candidate for a high-performance anode in lithium storage and OER activity.