Self-Assembled Carbon Metal–Organic Framework Oxides Derived from Two Calcination Temperatures as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Owing to their structural diversity and mesoporous construction, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used as templates to prepare mesoporous metal oxides, which show excellent performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Co-ZnO/C and Co-Co3O4/C nanohybrids were successfully synthesized based on a precursor of Co-doped MOF-5 by accurately controlling the annealing temperature and atmosphere. Experimental data proved that their electrochemical performance was closely associated with the material phase, especially for Co-ZnO/C, indicating that carbon skeleton materials can maintain a good restoration rate of over 99% after undergoing high-current density cycling. Meanwhile, Co-Co3O4/C nanohybrids showed an exceedingly high reversible capacity of 898 mAh∙g−1 at a current density of 0.1 C after 100 cycles. Their improved coulombic efficiency and superior rate capability contribute to a mesoporous structure, which provides pathways allowing for rapid Li+ diffusion and regulates volume change during charge and discharge processes.