Facile preparation of Co3O4/Super P/multi-walled carbon nanotube films for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes

This study prepared Co₃O₄/Super P/Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) free-standing films through a simple vacuum filtration method. The free-standing films showed that Co₃O₄ particles were well dispersed within the Super P and MWCNT network backbone without deforming oxide materials, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Employing Co₃O₄/Super P/MWCNT free-standing films as an anode electrode in lithium-ion batteries is superior to conventional electrode procedures because a binder is not required, and the current collector and laminate process are required. Moreover, the Co₃O₄/Super P/MWCNT electrodes showed remarkable capacity and rate capability compared to that of conventional laminated Co₃O₄/carbon composites. The enhanced electrochemical performance of Co₃O₄/Super P/MWCNT electrodes could be attributed to the extraordinary electrical conduction of MWCNT in nature and its stable connection between the conductive substrate and active materials. Furthermore, this connection offers the integrity of the electrode despite volume variation during Lithium (Li)-ion intercalation and deintercalation.