Synthesis of Cobalt based Complexes and conversion to Co3O4 nanoparticles as a high performance anode for lithium ion battery

•Co3O4 nanoparticles about 30 nm have been synthesized by conversion of Co-INA.•A facile solvothermal method is proposed for synthesis of Co-INA precursors.•The discharge capacity of Co3O4-15 electrode is 712 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles.

Co3O4 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized from Cobalt bis (4-pyridine carboxylate) tetrahydrate (Co-INA) precursors through the solvothermal method followed by thermal treatment in air. The morphologies of Co3O4 products varies with the amount of ethanol in the solvent. What's more, the phenomenon of aggregation becomes more unobvious with increasing the amount of ethanol to 15 mL ethanol, the corresponding Co3O4 nanoparticles show a better dispersion and more excellent cycling performance. This electrode provides a specific discharge capacity of 712 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at the current density of 200 mA g-1. Therefore, the Co3O4 nanoparticles can be deemed to be potential candidates as anode materials for further investigation.