MOF-derived Co3O4@rGO nanocomposites as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

The Co3O4@rGO derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared by a simple solvothermal method followed by the heat treatment. In a typical preparation process, the Co-MOF (ZIF-67) acts as the precursor to obtain desirable nano Co3O4 while the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer enhances the conductivity. The materials were respectively characterized by XRD, SEM, and then further electrochemical tests. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the material of Co3O4@rGO exhibit overall superb electrochemical properties especially when the rGO proportion is 20%, it displays higher capacity (818.5 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), higher cycling stability (87.3% capacity retention after 100 cycles), and better rate performance. The work may throw some lights on the preparation of other transition metal oxides by structure design with rGO layer for further applications.