Adhesive nanocomposites of hypergravity induced Co3O4 nanoparticles and natural gels as Li-ion battery anode materials with high capacitance and low resistance

Abstract

An adhesive composite of hypergravity induced Co₃O₄ nanoparticles and natural xanthan gum (XG) was prepared and applied as the anode electrode of a Li-ion battery for the first time. The Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were hydrothermally prepared and assembled on the water–oil interface with the assistance of hypergravity. The discharge capacity of the final nanocomposite anodes with the xanthan gum binder can reach 742.5 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at a charge–discharge rate of 0.5 C, whereas the Co₃O₄ working electrode with a traditional PVDF binder only displayed a lower capacity of 219.9 mA h g⁻¹. The addition of the XG binder can improve the electrochemical performance of the hypergravity Co₃O₄ anode due to its high viscosity, which can relieve the volume expansion of the Co₃O₄ particles during charge–discharge cycles. What's more, the XG can efficiently transfer Li-ions to the surface of the Co₃O₄ like polyethylene oxide (PEO) solid electrolytes.