A synthesis of graphene/Co3O4 thin films for lithium ion battery anodes by coelectrodeposition

We report on a facile strategy for the direct and uniform deposition of a graphene/Co3O4 thin film onto stainless steel substrate (SS) through cathodic deposition. Graphene oxides (GOs) were treated with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) which acted as a stabilizer and binder between GOs and cationic metal precursor. For the formation of PEI‐modified GOs (PEI-GOs) and Co2 + complexes, the PEI-GOs dispersion was mixed with aqueous phase of Co(NO3)2, then, the solution was used as the plating bath for coelectrodeposition. Results showed that the PEI-GOs and cobalt oxides were uniformly distributed on the surface of SS evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The prepared graphene/Co3O4 film was employed as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, and it exhibited not only an enhanced cycleability but also high electronic conductivity.

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► Graphene/Co3O4 thin film is directly synthesized through cathodic deposition.
► Water-soluble cationic poly(ethyleneimine) is used as a stabilizer and binder.
► Deposited films present an enhanced capacity and cycleability as anode for lithium ion batteries.
► The improvement is ascribed to the synergetic effects between Co3O4 and graphene.
► This facile synthetic strategy promises potential applications in other electrodes.