Promotive effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on Co3O4 nanosheets and their application in lithium-ion battery

Co3O4/MWCNTs composites have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method using a surfactant (CTAB) and a precipitation agent (urea). The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and BET methods. The electrochemical properties of the samples as anode materials for lithium batteries were studied by EIS and Galvanostatic measurements. The Co3O4/MWCNTs composites displayed higher capacity and better cycle performance in comparison with the Co3O4 nanosheets. The remarkable improvement of electrochemical performance within the hybrid composites is probably related to the addition of MWCNTs that possesses improved properties such as excellent electric conductivity and large surface area, which helps to alleviate the effect of volume change, shorten the distance of lithium ion diffusion, facilitate the transmission of electron and keep the structure stable.