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Ionic liquid-derived Co3O4/carbon nano-onions composite and its enhanced performance as anode for lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

In this work, a novel composite of Co3O4 nanoparticle and carbon nano-onions (CNOs) is synthesized by using ionic liquid as carbon and nitrogen source through a facile carbothermic reduction followed by low-temperature oxidation method. The SEM and HRTEM images reveal that the Co3O4 particles are homogenously embedded in the CNOs. Due to the unique nano-structure, the electrolyte contacts well with the active materials, leading to a better transfer of lithium ions. Moreover, the unique nano-structure not only buffers the volume changes but also facilitates the shuttling of electrons during the cycling process. As a result, the electrode made up of Co3O4/CNOs composite delivers favorable cycling performance (676 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles) and rate capability (557 mAh g−1 at the current of 1 C), showing a promising prospect for lithium-ion batteries as anode materials.

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Acknowledgements

The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51364024, 51404124), Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (Grant No. 1506RJZA100), and the Foundation for Innovation Groups of Basic Research in Gansu Province (No. 1606RJIA322).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China

    Yanshuang Meng, Gongrui Wang, Mingjun Xiao, Chaoyu Duan, Chen Wang & Fuliang Zhu

  2. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA

    Yue Zhang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, Lanzhou, 730050, China

    Yanshuang Meng & Fuliang Zhu

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  1. Yanshuang Meng
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  2. Gongrui Wang
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  4. Chaoyu Duan
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  5. Chen Wang
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Correspondence to Fuliang Zhu or Yue Zhang.

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Meng, Y., Wang, G., Xiao, M. et al. Ionic liquid-derived Co3O4/carbon nano-onions composite and its enhanced performance as anode for lithium-ion batteries. J Mater Sci 52, 13192–13202 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1414-x

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