Macroporous Co3O4 platelets with excellent rate capability as anodes for lithium ion batteries

This paper reports the microwave-assisted synthesis of Co3O4 nanomaterials with different morphologies including nanoparticles, rod-like nanoclusters and macroporous platelets. The new macroporous platelet-like Co3O4 morphology was found to be the best suitable for reversible lithium storage properties. It displayed superior cycling performances than nanoparticles and rod-like nanoclusters. More interestingly, excellent high rate capabilities (811 mAh g−1 at 1780 mA g−1 and 746 mAh g−1 at 4450 mA g−1) were observed for macroporous Co3O4 platelet. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique macroporous platelet structure of Co3O4 materials.