Construction of Complex Co3O4@Co3V2O8 Hollow Structures from Metal–Organic Frameworks with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

A novel metal-organic-framework-engaged strategy is demonstrated for the preparation of multishelled Co₃ O₄ @Co₃ V₂ O₈ hybrid nanoboxes. This strategy relies on the unique reaction of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 with the vanadium source of vanadium oxytriisopropoxide. Benefitting from the synthetic versatility, a series of nanostructures can be realized including triple-shelled and double-shelled Co₃ O₄ @Co₃ V₂ O₈ nanoboxes and single-shelled Co₃ V₂ O₈ nanoboxes. When evaluated as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, these unique hollow structures demonstrate remarkable lithium storage properties. For example, the triple-shelled Co₃ O₄ @Co₃ V₂ O₈ nanoboxes retain a high capacity of 948 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^-1 .