Hollow CoFe2O4 nanospheres as a high capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries

Hollow structured CoFe2O4 nanospheres were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The uniform hollow nanosphere architecture of the as-prepared CoFe2O4 has been confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis, which give an outer diameter of 200-300 nm and a wall thickness of about 100 nm. CoFe2O4 nanospheres exhibited a high reversible capacity of 1266 mA h g(-1) with an excellent capacity retention of 93.6% over 50 cycles and an improved rate capability. CoFe2O4 could be a promising high capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries.