A Co3O4/C Composite for use as a High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode

Abstract Due to advantages such as low environmental impact, low price, and high theoretical specific capacity, Co 3 O 4 has been widely studied. However, its low conductivity and volume expansion during the charging and discharging processes caused pulverization and agglomeration ultimately leads to a rapid decline in battery capacity during the cycle. The creation of nano structured composite of carbon materials and Co 3 O 4 can be used to form a highly conductive matrix that improves the electronic conductivity, and improves the dispersion of Co 3 O 4 to reduce agglomeration and volume expansion. In this work, the rigid conjugated plane structure of 1,10‐phenanthroline was selected to coordinated with cobalt nitrate to form a precursor complex. After heating, the crystal core of Co 3 O 4 becomes more uniform in size with a more regular geometry. Additionally, a calcining temperature of 350 °C was shown to result in an optimal amount of carbon residue that improved electronic conductivity of the whole composite while not excessively hindering lithium‐ion transport. As a result, these properties improved the electron conductivity and protect the crystals from damage caused by volume change during charge and discharge to a certain extent, thus contributing to improved electrochemical performance.