Insights in Utilizing NiCo₂O₄/Co₃O₄ Nanowires as Anode Material in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

In this study, a facile and cost‐effective hydrothermal approach is employed to synthesize a mesoporous NiCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite with nanowire morphology by using polyvinyl pyrrolidone as structure‐directing agent. The obtained NiCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite shows better electrochemical performance than pure NiCo2O4 due to mainly two reasons: i) a strong synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 and Co3O4, which enhances the Li+ diffusion rate as well as lower the charge‐transfer resistance, and ii) the involvement of Co3O4 to contribute to the total capacity due to its high electrochemical activity. However, the performance of a NiCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite electrode starts degrading after 400 cycles while pure NiCo2O4 maintains steady performance. Since the NiCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite sample shows high porosity, it is believed that the obtained nanowire morphology cannot tolerate volume variations, which are generally triggered off during repeated Li+ (de‐)insertion at long‐term cycling. Therefore, the obtained results bring new insights in terms that there is a sweet spot between Li+ diffusion and high porosity in utilizing Co3O4 within a nanocomposite. This study is of guidance to shed the light on the research of ternary transition metal oxide nanocomposite materials for lithium‐ion batteries.

Boosting the high-rate performance of lithium-ion battery anodes using MnCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite interfaces

“…This strategy has been found to be novel in mitigating the volume variations of transition metal oxides. 11,12 Benefitting from the appealing architectural features and striking synergistic effect of two different metal oxides, the integrated MnCo 2 O 4 /Co 3 O 4 nanocomposite anode exhibits excellent C-rate performance and long-term cycling stability for LIBs.…”

Synergistic effect between ZnCo2O4 and Co3O4 induces superior electrochemical performance as anodes for lithium-ion batteries

“…15 Thereafter, a novel research effort was made to fabricate ternary metal oxide anodes by partially replacing the cobalt (Co) of Co 3 O 4 using various elements to alleviate abovementioned issues via the complementary behavior and synergistic effect between the two different metal elements. 21,22 Among all ternary metal oxides, the synthesis and/or use of ZnCo 2 O 4 spinel has been abundantly reported for energy conversion and storage applications due to its low cost, low toxicity, numerous novel morphologies, excellent electrical conductivity, high theoretical capacity (B903 mA h g À1 ) and use of inexpensive and nontoxic Zn. [23][24][25][26] In addition, the conversion and alloying/dealloying reactions occurred in the ZnCo 2 O 4 anode because of the further reaction of Zn as a conversion product with Li and formation of the LiZn alloy, which eventually offers extra capacity.…”

Cobalt Oxide Arrays Anchored to Copper Foam as Efficient Binder‐free Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries

“…[20][21][22][23] To address this issue, morphological construction and nanoscale design, such as nanowires, nanosheets, nanospheres, etc. [24][25][26][27][28] are recom-mended to alleviate the impact of volume change by shortening the diffusion pathway of Li + and offering large electrochemical surface area. [29] Binders are commonly used to adhere the active materials in the electrode, however, they can hinder the electron transfer during the discharge/charge process.…”

“…However, high capacity would more likely to cause severe volume changes during Li + intercalation/deintercalation, leading to capacity decay [20–23] . To address this issue, morphological construction and nanoscale design, such as nanowires, nanosheets, nanospheres, etc [24–28] . are recommended to alleviate the impact of volume change by shortening the diffusion pathway of Li + and offering large electrochemical surface area [29]…”