Conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS coated Co3O4 nanoparticles as the anode for sodium-ion battery applications

Metal oxides are considered as potential anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, they suffer from poor cycling and rate capability. Here, we investigate conductive polymer coating on Co₃O₄ nanoparticles varying with different percentages. X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and surface chemical analysis were adopted to analyze coated and uncoated Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. Conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), has been utilized for coating. Improved specific capacity and rate capability for an optimal coating of 0.5 wt.% were observed. The 0.5 wt.% coated sample outperformed the uncoated one in terms of capacity, rate capability and coulombic efficiency. It delivered a reversible capacity of 561 mAh·g⁻¹ at 100 mA·g⁻¹ and maintained a capacity of 318 mAh·g⁻¹ at a high rate of 1 A·g⁻¹. Increasing the PEDOT:PSS coating percentage led to lower performance due to the thicker coating induced kinetic issues. Ex-situ analysis of the 0.5 wt.% coated sample after 100 cycles at 1 A·g⁻¹ was characterized for performance correlation. Such a simple, cost-effective and wet-chemical approach has not been employed before for Co₃O₄ as the SIB anode.