Co3O4 mesoporous nanostructures@graphene membrane as an integrated anode for long-life lithium-ion batteries

•A facile and large scale synthesis of integrated electrode materials is proposed.•The light graphene current collector will increase the energy density of cell.•Porous structure is beneficial for Li+ transfer and strain buffer of Co3O4.•Superior cycling performance without capacity loss over 500 cycles is obtained.

One of the most attractive research areas in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is to design elaborate nanostructure of the electrode, which has been considered as keys to solve the problems such as the low energy density, slow lithium ion and electron transport, and the large volume change of electrode materials during cycling processes. Here, mesoporous Co3O4 with controllable structures was directly grown on a graphene membrane by hydrothermal reaction followed by annealing treatment, and used as an integrated anode in LIBs without using metallic current collector, binder and conductive additive. The light graphene membrane as current collector with high electrical conductivity and stability contributes to the high energy density of LIBs. A mesoporous structure with enough space is beneficial to lithium ion diffusion and strain buffer of Co3O4 during discharge/charge processes, rendering the electrodes high performance. The integrated electrode shows good rate capability and impressive cycling stability without capacity loss over 500 cycles under a high current density of 500 mA g−1.

Graphical abstractThe light graphene current collector with high electrical conductivity and stability contributes to the accessibility of high energy density. Porous structure with enough space is beneficial for lithium ions transfer and strain buffer of Co3O4 during lithiation/delithiation, render the electrodes high performance. Co3O4 nanowall@graphene membrane integrated electrode shows excellent cyclic stability without capacity loss over 500 cycles under a higher current density of 500 mA g−1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide