Nanocavity-enriched Co3O4@ZnCo2O4@NC porous nanowires derived from 1D metal coordination polymers for fast Li+ diffusion kinetics and super Li+ storage

Abstract

Nanocavity-enriched Co₃O₄@ZnCo₂O₄@NC porous nanowires have been successfully prepared by a two-step annealing process of one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer precursors. Such unique nanowires with nanocavity-based porous channels can provide a large specific surface area, which allows fast electron/ion transfer and alleviates the volume expansion caused by strain during the charge/discharge processes. While used as the anode material of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), Co₃O₄@ZnCo₂O₄@NC electrodes exhibit outstanding rate capacity and cycling stability, such as a high reversible capacity of 931 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹ and a long-term cycling efficiency of 649 mA h g⁻¹ after 600 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. This coordination polymer template method lays a solid foundation for the design and preparation of bimetal oxide materials with outstanding electrochemical performance for LIBs.