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

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 Co-3[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 mA h 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. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.