Construction of highly dispersed and electroconductive silver nanoparticles modified mesoporous Co3O4 hollow nanoboxes from Prussian blue analogues for boosting lithium storage performances

Abstract A facile strategy for the synthesis of well-conductive Ag nanoparticles decorated mesoporous Co3O4 nanoboxes is reported. The fabrication processes involve a thermal annealing of Co3[Co(CN)6]2 Prussian blue analogue (PBA) template and subsequent in-situ chemical reductive deposition of Ag coating. The obtained electrically conductive Ag-coated Co3O4 hollow nanoboxes (Ag@Co3O4 HNBs) electrodes possess remarkable lithium storage performances as anodes including high reversible capacity, improved rate capability and long-life cyclability than bare Co3O4 HNBs. The optimized Ag@Co3O4 HNB anodes demonstrate high lithium storage capacity of 1015 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1, distinguished reactivated capacity (1115 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1) and decent rate capability (339 mAh g−1 at 5A g−1). The key points of improved electrochemical behaviors for Ag@Co3O4 composites are due to the formation of Co3O4 hierarchical nanostructure with high porosity as well as the enhancement of electrical conductivity introduced by Ag nanoparticles films.