LAUSR

High-performance anode material for lithium-ion cell based on cobalt oxide was synthesized through a combination of sol-gel route and subsequent microwave heating. The influence of microwave irradiation temperature of the precursor on the characteristics of the active materials formed was studied. The physicochemical, structural, and morphological properties of the materials were studied in addition to the electrochemical performance by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge cycling vs. Li+/Li. Microwave heating at 350 °C resulted in the formation of Co3O4, whereas at 450 and 550 °C, a mixture of Co3O4, CoO, and Co was formed. Co3O4 synthesized at 350 °C possessed porous morphology with high specific surface area and exhibited superior electrochemical performance with initial specific capacity of 982 mAh g−1 and coulombic efficiency of ~75% along with good cycle performance retaining ~87% of initial capacity after 60 cycles.