Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped porous carbon dodecahedrons with enhanced electrochemical properties for lithium storage and water splitting

A novel Co3O4/N-doped porous carbon hybrid with dodecahedrons structure was synthesized by a facile, two-step, thermal transformation of a cobalt-based zeolitic imidazolate framework. Well-dispersed Co3O4 nanoparticles were embedded in nitrogen-doped porous carbon networks, forming a unique nanopolyhedron. When tested as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the hybrid exhibited superior electrochemical performance, including excellent rate capability of 560 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1) which is close to 46% of the rate capacity at 100 mA g(-1), outstanding cycling stability with 91.7% capacity retention of the second cycle after 110 cycles, and considerably large discharge capacity of 1730 mA h g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1). Moreover, the hybrid also showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for electrochemical oxygen evolution from water splitting. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.