Non-aqueous synthesis of crystalline Co_3O_4 powders using alcohol and cobalt chloride as a versatile reaction system for controllable morphology

摘要

Crystalline Co_3O_4 powders with controllable morphology have been prepared using cobalt chloride and various alcohol precursors at different temperatures. The non-aqueous precursor is examined by simultaneous differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the obtained powders are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Co_3O_4 particles demonstrate a dramatic tetragonal dipyramid structure when synthesized from benzyl alcohol and cobalt chloride. A stable and reversible storage capacity for lithium of 740 mAh g~(-1) within 50 cycles is achieved on electrochemical performance testing.