Rapid microwave hydrothermal processed spinel Co₃O₄nanospheres infused N-doped graphene nanosheets for...

Spinel Co₃O₄nanospheres have been synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The N-doped graphene nanosheets (NGN) were synthesized using Hummer's method. The prepared spinel Co₃O₄and NGN were mixed under certain proportions using an ultrasonication process and treated with microwave radiation to prepare a novel spinel Co₃O₄nanospheres infused NGN. The synthesized samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Zetasizer, scanning electron microscope/transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for identifying crystal structure and phase, particle size, and the morphology of the nanostructure and the elemental configuration, respectively. The prepared spinel Co₃O₄/NGN were used as anode material and lithium metal as a reference electrode to fabricate half cell using Swagelok cell components. The electrochemical properties were studied and found to exhibit a larger specific capacity of 575 mAh g^-1compared to traditional graphite electrodes, after 100 cycles under 0.1 C rate with a coulombic efficiency of ≈100%. The good electrochemical properties ascribe to the distinctive surface morphological nanostructures of nanoporous nanospheres of spinel Co₃O₄nanospheres and nanosheets of N-doped graphene that reduce the lithium-ion diffusion pathway. The developed anode material would be a potential electrode for lithium ion battery applications.