Hard-template-engaged formation of Co₂V₂O₇ hollow prisms for lithium ion batteries

Highly uniform and monodispersed Co₂V₂O₇ hollow nanoprisms are successfully fabricated via a simple hard-template-engaged strategy. In such synthesis, Co acetate hydroxide plays the important role of not only the cobalt source, but also the sacrificial template. After coating with a carbon layer, the as-obtained Co₂V₂O₇ hollow nanoprisms exhibit apparently enhanced lithium-ion-battery performances. It has shown a high specific capacity of around 946 mA h g^-1 at a current density of 100 mA g^-1, excellent cycling stability up to 300 cycles at a current density of 1 A g^-1, and superior rate performance, which is much better than carbon coated solid Co₂V₂O₇ samples.