Ultrathin‐Nanosheet‐Induced Synthesis of 3D Transition Metal Oxides Networks for Lithium Ion Battery Anodes

A general ultrathin‐nanosheet‐induced strategy for producing a 3D mesoporous network of Co 3 O 4 is reported. The fabrication process introduces a 3D N‐doped carbon network to adsorb metal cobalt ions via dipping process. Then, this carbon matrix serves as the sacrificed template, whose N‐doping effect and ultrathin nanosheet features play critical roles for controlling the formation of Co 3 O 4 networks. The obtained material exhibits a 3D interconnected architecture with large specific surface area and abundant mesopores, which is constructed by nanoparticles. Merited by the optimized structure in three length scales of nanoparticles–mesopores–networks, this Co 3 O 4 nanostructure possesses superior performance as a LIB anode: high capacity (1033 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 ) and long‐life stability (700 cycles at 5 A g −1 ). Moreover, this strategy is verified to be effective for producing other transition metal oxides, including Fe 2 O 3 , ZnO, Mn 3 O 4 , NiCo 2 O 4 , and CoFe 2 O 4 .