Metal-organic frameworks converted flower-like hybrid with Co₃O₄ nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen-doped carbon sheets for boosted lithium storage performance

Transition metal oxides-based electrode materials are currently under intensive research as anode candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their environmental benignity, high capacity and natural abundance. Unfortunately, the intrinsically low conductivity and large structure change of metal oxide electrodes lead to their phase segregation and serious capacity decay, which severely restrict their practical application. In this work, we designed and fabricated a unique flower-like hybrid with Co₃O₄ nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen-doped carbon sheets (Co₃O₄/NC) through a combined carbonization and oxidation approach using novel cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursor. The in-situ synthesis of Co₃O₄/NC from MOFs improves the combination between Co₃O₄ nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped carbonaceous substrate, ensures high structure stability and facilitates the electron and ion transport upon cycling. The as-synthesized Co₃O₄/NC exhibits a remarkable lithium storage performance with high reversible capacity (1145.1 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g⁻¹), superior rate capability (498.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 4 A g⁻¹) and excellent long-term cycling stability (797.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ and 671.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 500 cycles), which outperforms those of most of Co₃O₄-based electrodes reported so far.