Hydrothermal synthesis of Fe-doped Co3O4 urchin-like microstructures with superior electrochemical performances

Unique urchin-like Fe-doped Co3O4 three-dimensional microstructures composed of numerous porous nanoneedles were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method at 120 °C for 3 h and followed with direct annealing treatment at 400 °C for 3 h in air. The BET specific surface area and average pore diameter of Fe-doped Co3O4 microstructures are measured to be 39.7 m2 g−1 and 18 nm, respectively. The variables of different urea dosages are studied in this work, and the content of urea has an essential effect on size and morphology. Besides, using CV, GCD, cycling, and EIS tests, the electrochemical properties of sample as electrode material are evaluated in a typical three-electrode system using 2 M of KOH aqueous solution as electrolyte. The specific capacity of the urchin-like Fe-doped Co3O4 microstructures electrode reaches 315.8 C g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and its final specific capacity preserves 98.9% of the initial value after 3000 cycles at 5 A g−1. The synergistic effect of Fe and Co on electrochemical properties and unique porous urchin-like three-dimensional structure both contribute to its electrochemical performances, making it one of the most capable electrode materials for advanced energy storage devices.