Preparation and characterization of mesoporous Co3O4 electrode material

Mesoporous electrode materials of spinel Co3O4 were synthesized by hydrothermal method using polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) as dispersant and subsequent calcination at different temperatures in air. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), nitrogen adsorption and electrochemical measurements. The results showed that the dispersant PEG-6000 had a distinct effect to control the porosity, particle size and homogeneity of Co3O4; the calcination temperature had a significant influence on the crystal structure, surface area, porosity and morphology, and indeed electrochemical performance. The resultant Co3O4 sample calcinated at 350A degrees A C possessed a narrow mesopore distribution around 4 nm and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. It had the specific capacitance as high as 348.7 F/g, increased by 21.5% over that of pure Co3O4 and showed good cyclical charge-discharge stability.