Controlled synthesis of hollow octahedral ZnCo2O4 nanocages assembled from ultrathin 2D nanosheets for enhanced lithium storage

Abstract

Hollow octahedral ZnCo₂O₄ nanocages assembled from ultrathin 2D nanosheets are prepared through facile fast simultaneous coordinating etching and thermal processes. Electrochemical results show that the hollow octahedral ZnCo₂O₄ nanocage is an outstanding anode material for LIBs with a high reversible discharge capacity of 1025 mA h g⁻¹ at 500 mA g⁻¹ after 200 cycles, and an outstanding rate capability of 525 mA h g⁻¹ at 4 A g⁻¹. Moreover, this simple, low cost and fast process could be useful for the construction of many other hollow advanced materials for supercapacitors, sensors and other novel energy and environmental applications.