Controllable fabrication of hierarchical top-converged Co3O4 nanowire array with enhanced lithium storage performance

•Co3O4 nanowire arrays are prepared by a novel strategy based on self corrosion.•The Co3O4 nanowire array manifests a hierarchical top-converged nanoarchitecture.•A novel formation mechanism of the nanowire array is proposed.•The Co3O4 nanowire array shows the enhanced lithium storage performance.

Nanostructured Co3O4 is one of the promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a hierarchical top-converged Co3O4 nanowire array is prepared by the electrochemical corrosion of electrodeposited cobalt film and subsequent annealing treatment in air. In the corrosion process, a dissolution-recrystallization induced ripening process results in the morphology transformation from the initially formed nanosheets to nanowires, and the hierarchical top-converged nanowire array film is finally achieved. The as-prepared Co3O4 nanowire array electrode shows a reversible capacity of 0.54 mAh cm−2 (1213.49 mAh g−1) after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2 (224.72 mA g−1), manifesting higher capacity and excellent cycling stability. The electrode also demonstrates a good rate capability, with a reversible capacity of 0.26 mAh cm−2 (584.27 mAh g−1) at a relatively large current density of 0.8 mA cm−2 (1797.96 mA g−1). The enhanced lithium storage performance of the hierarchical top-converged nanowire array electrode is originated from its unique structural characteristics.

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