CoO@N-Doped Carbon Composite Nanotubes as Excellent Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this work, we report the successful fabrication a new type of CoO@N-doped carbon matrix composite nanotubes (CoO@NC Ntm) using Co(CO3)(0.5)(OH)center dot 0.11 H2O needlelike nanorods as the self-sacrifice templates and polypyrrole as carbon and nitrogen sources. The preparation process is facile and efficient. CoO nanoparticles are homogeneously embedded in the N-doped carbon nanotube matrix. Combining the benefits of the N-doped carbon matrix and the special architecture, CoO@NC Ntm delivers a superior long-term cycling stability and high-rate performance as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Even when tested at a higher current density of 2000 mAg(-1), a reversible capacity of 523.4 mAhg(-1) can be retained after 1000 cycles, with capacity retention of almost 100% from 2 to 1000 cycles. This work may shed light on the fabrication of other oxide materials @N-doped carbon matrix composites for energy-storage applications.