Co-based metal–organic framework and its derivatives as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

The syntheses and lithium storage performances of a Co-based metal–organic framework (MOF) and its derivatives were reported. Co2(NDC)2DMF2 was synthesized by a facile one-pot solvothermal method. Its derivatives were obtained via controllably calcining Co-based MOF at different annealing temperatures. Both the pristine MOFs and derivatives had electrochemical performance; especially, the Co3O4 derivative obtained by calcined at 350 °C for 3 h (denoted as Co-3) exhibited the best lithium storage capacity. As anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), Co-3 showed a high reversible specific capacity (1058.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g−1), remarkable cycling performance and an excellent rate performance with high average discharge specific capacities of 1066, 843, 552, 428 and 348 mAh g−1 at 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mA g−1, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performance may be attributed to the formation of small particles in nanoscale and meso-pores during the calcination process which increase the contact surface areas between electrolyte and active materials, shorten the lithium-ions diffusion pathways and accommodate the volume variations during cycling.