In-plane porous Co3O4 nanosheet assembled 3D hierarchical clusters grown on stainless steel mesh as binder-free anodes for high performance lithium ion batteries

Abstract

In-plane porous Co₃O₄ nanosheet assembled three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical clusters anchored on stainless steel mesh (Co₃O₄@SSM) were successfully fabricated using a hydrothermal method, followed by a low-temperature calcination process. The individual Co₃O₄ nanosheets are composed of numerous primary nanoparticles and secondary nanorods, and their thickness is correlated with the Co²⁺ concentration of the aqueous solution used for hydrothermal synthesis. The as-prepared materials were investigated as binder-free anodes for lithium ion batteries, and the results demonstrate a maximal specific capacity of up to 2030 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, as well as superior cycling stability and rate capability due to the in-plane porous feature, optimized thickness and hierarchical assembly with abundant interstitial space of the nanosheets.