Synthesis of hollow Co3O4 nanocrystals in situ anchored on holey graphene for high rate lithium-ion batteries

Tailoring the electrode structure and morphology with short diffusion distance for fast ions transport is of significant to improve rate capability for advanced lithium-ion batteries. A novel architecture of hollow Co3O4 nanocrystals in situ anchored on holey graphene is successfully fabricated, and individual hollow Co3O4 nanocrystal is located around one etched hole on graphene sheets. This newly fabricated nanostructure is able to greatly shorten mass diffusion distance for enhancement of Li ion transport, resulting in the best rate performance among previously reported composites of Co3O4 and graphene. This work reveals that high rate lithium-ion batteries can be achieved through constructing the hybrids of Co3O4 nanocrystals on in situ etched holey graphene, while rendering fundamental for enhancement of mass transport rate by highly shortened ions diffusion distance in a nanostructured electrode to accomplish superior rate capability.