Abstract
The self-assembled Co3O4 microspheres made of nanoplatelets were prepared by a novel and simple solvothermal route. The crystal structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The FESEM shows that the average diameter of the microspheres is about 8 μm and the thickness of individual nanoplatelets is 30–70 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies reveal two strong peaks appearing at 780.6 and 797.0 eV, corresponding to the core level electrons for Co 2p3/2 and Co 2p1/2, which are characteristic XPS peaks of Co3O4 phase. The electrochemical properties of cobalt oxide nanoplatelets modified electrodes were scrutinized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge profile with cycles, showing a stable reversible capacity of 620 mA h/g after 40 cycles.
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•Synthesis of self-assembled Co3O4 nanoplatelets via a simple solvothermal route.•XPS studies reveals the two peaks, corresponding to the core level electrons of Co 2p3/2 and Co 2p1/2.•Co3O4 anode in Li-ion batteries showed a reversible capacity of 620 mA h/g after 40 cycles.