Electrochemical performance of template-synthesized CoSb nanowires array as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

We etched the anodic alumina membranes around CoSb nanowires for different times and thereby obtained CoSb nanowire arrays with different degrees of order. Test results showed that highly ordered nanowire array structures have a charge-discharge capacity of more than 200 mA h g(-1), with a coulombic efficiency of 86% and a capability retention rate of 28% after 10 cycles. In this study, we provide evidence to support the hypothesis that a nanowire array structure is propitious in improving the performance of the anode material in lithium ion batteries. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.