Rod-like porous CoMoO4@C as excellent anode for high performance lithium ion battery

Abstract Cobalt molybdate (CoMoO4) is considered to be a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries. However, the large volume change restricts cycling stability and high capacity. Herein, we report a rod-like porous CoMoO4@C anode material through a hydrothermal reaction. Compared with the pure CoMoO4, rod-like porous CoMoO4@C-3 electrode exhibits high reversible charge/discharge specific capacity, excellent cycle stability and preeminent rate capability. A stable reversible lithium storage capacity of 790 mAh g−1 can still be maintained after 100 cycles even at 500 mA g−1. When the current density decreases back from 3000 mA g−1 to 100 mA g−1, a high discharge specific capacity of 927 mAh g−1 is recovered. The porous structure and carbon layers can enhance the electronic transmission and structural stability, shorten diffusion path of Li+/electrons, and provide a mechanical buffer space to accommodate the volume expansion/contraction during the repeated Li+ insertion/extraction processes. The excellent electrochemical properties make the rod-like porous CoMoO4@C a promising candidate for high performance anode material of lithium ion batteries.