Molten Salt Synthesis and Its Electrochemical Characterization of Co3O4 for Lithium Batteries

Co3O4 powders are prepared by one molten salt synthesis at 280 degrees C in air using 0.88 M LiNO3:0.12 M LiCl eutectic melt. They are characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, density and surface area methods. The electrochemical properties were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling, in the cycling range, 0.005-3.0 V at room temperature. In this article, we studied the effect of different Co-salts on morphology and electrochemical properties. The observed reversible capacities (at a current rate of 60 mA g(-1), at 40th cycle) of Co3O4 prepared by using Co-sulphate for 3 h; 15 h, Co-hydroxide and Co-acetate salts are 786; 707, 1080 and 916 (+/- 5) mAh g(-1), respectively. At a current of 600 mA g(-1), it deliver a reversible capacity of 710 (+/- 5) mAh g(-1) (prepared using Co-hydroxide source), at the end of 50th cycle. (C) 2011 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3556984] All rights reserved.