Construction of Co3O4 nanotubes as high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries

•We construct a porous Co3O4 nanotube by electrospinning method.•Porous nanotubes show high properties for Li ion battery.•Porous nanotube structure is favorable for fast ion and electron transfer.

High performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) relies largely on scrupulous design of bespoke active materials. Herein, we report a facile controllable electrospinning method for preparation of Co3O4 nanotubes with diameters of 200–300 nm. The obtained Co3O4 nanotubes are composed of interconnected nanoparticles of 20–40 nm and show polycrystalline feature. As anode materials for LIBs, the resultant Co3O4 nanotubes show higher specific capacity and better cycle stability (856.4 mAh g−1 at 0.25 C and 677.2 mAh g−1 at 1 C up to 60 cycles), as well as enhanced rate capability as compared to Co3O4 nanowire counterparts (805.1 mAh g−1 at 0.25 C and 587.9 mAh g−1 at 1 C). The performance enhancement mainly comes from the multiple advantages of nanotube configuration, such as higher surface areas, faster transportation path for ion/electron. It is expected that the as-prepared Co3O4 nanotubes are also promising active material for supercapacitors, chemical sensors and electrocatalysis.

Graphical abstractPorous Co3O4 nanotubes are prepared via a facile electrospinning method and show superior Li storage performance with higher capacitance and better rate capability than nanowire counterparts.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide