Dandelion-like Co3O4 mesoporous nanostructures supported by a Cu foam for efficient oxygen evolution and lithium storage

Novel dandelion-like Co3O4 mesoporous nanostructures, supported by a Cu foam, are prepared by a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and annealing. The resulting Co3O4@Cu foam exhibits superior oxygen evolution (Tafel slope = 42.8 mV dec(-1)) and lithium storage (capacity = 882 mA h g(-1)@2C after 100 cycles, 1C = 890 mA g(-1)) properties, which highlight its great promise in the fields of energy storage and conversion.