CoFe2O4 nanoplates synthesized by dealloying method as high performance Li-ion battery anodes

- Bimetallic oxide CoFe2O4 is fabricated by dealloying method for the first time.
- The anode shows stable cycle stability and high rate capability.
- The interconnected architecture with rich spaces guarantee the good properties.

Transition metal oxides anode with high theoretical capacity is still not meeting the commercial utilization due to the low initial coulombic efficiency and poor cycle stability. We herein report the fabrication of bimetallic oxides CoFe2O4 nanoplates with porous feature through a dealloying method for the first time. The electrochemical properties were investigated as anode material for Li-ion batteries. The material presented stable cycling properties with a reversible capacity of 1280.8 mAh g−1 after 100 discharge/charge cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1, and a reversible capacity of 810 mAh g−1 after 1000 discharge/charge cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1, among one of the best performance of the reported CoFe2O4 anodes. The improved Li storage properties could be ascribed to the interconnected sheet-like micro/nano-architecture with rich spaces, as well as the relatively stable geometrical characteristic, rare cracks and reduced resistance after cycles. Moreover, the paper also provides us a new route to synthesize other bimetallic oxides for various applications by well-designed alloy composition and dealloying process, which is a feasible route to large-scale production.