Synergistic lithium storage of a multi-component Co2SnO4/Co3O4/Al2O3/C composite from a single-source precursor

Abstract

Endowing multi-component anode nanomaterials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with integrated features for synergistically enhancing electrochemical performance is challenging via a simple preparation method. We herein describe an easy approach for preparing a multi-component Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/C composite as the anode nanomaterial for LIBs, derived from a laurate anion-intercalated CoAlSn-layered double hydroxide (CoAlSn-LDH) single-source precursor. The resultant Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/C electrode delivers a highly enhanced reversible capacity of 1170 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, compared with the bi-active composites designed without Al₂O₃ or carbon (Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/C, Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃, and Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄) which are easily derived through the same protocol by choosing LDH precursors without Al cation or surfactant intercalation. The distinctly different cycling stability and rate capability of Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/C among the different composite electrodes suggest that the high enhancement could result from the following synergistic features: the combined conversion and alloying reactions of bi-active Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄ during cycling, the buffering role of non-active Al₂O₃ and carbon, and the improved conductivity of the self-generated carbon matrix. The LDH precursor-based approach may be extended to the design and preparation of various multi-component transition metal oxide composite nanomaterials for synergistic lithium storage.