Compact Co3O4/Co in-situ nanocomposites prepared by pulsed laser sintering as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Abstract To improve the electrochemical performance of Co3O4-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, Co3O4/Co nanocomposites have been fabricated by a pulsed laser sintering technique. The laser sinters the initial Co3O4 particles into micron-sized compact secondary particles and leads to the formation of in-situ Co nanoparticles. The compact structure of the secondary particles reduces the generation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and the in-situ Co nanoparticles enhance the conductivity. Consequently, the compact Co3O4/Co in-situ nanocomposites deliver significantly enhanced initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), reversible capacity and cycling stability as compared to the original Co3O4 sample. These results offer a new approach to design high-performance electrode materials.