LAUSR

Abstract A facile low-temperature hydrothermal method is developed to synthesize the Co-based coordination polymer precursor with ultrafine one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure by using 4,5-imidazole-dicarboxylic acid (H3IDC) as the ligand. The precursor is transformed into mesoporous ultrafine Co3O4/NC nanowires through calcined process. The mesoporous ultrafine Co3O4/NC nanowires are all less than 20 nm in diameter, and constructed by interconnecting N-doped carbon coated Co3O4 nanocrystals. As an anode in Lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared Co3O4/NC nanowires electrode shows an outstanding rate capability and long-cycle stability. At 0.1 A g−1, it displays an initial capacity of 1358 mA h g−1 and maintains a reversible capacity of 1294 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles. Meanwhile, it has a reversible capacity of 897 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. Moreover, the volume specific capacity of Co3O4/NC nanowires electrode is 1121.1 mA h cm−3 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. The excellent lithium storage performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of ultrafine nanowires, abundant mesopores, large specific surface area, pseudocapacitive behavior and continuous high-conductivity N-doped carbon coating.