Lithium Electroactivity of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Thermolysis Process

Nano-sized cobalt (II) oxide nanoparticles with a high crystallinity were synthesized using thermolysis of a Co 2+-oleate precursor at 310 o C. The phase and morphology of as-prepared cobalt oxide nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements. The cobalt oxide nanoparticles were found to be spherical nanoclusters with an average diameter of approximately 200 nm, consisting of tiny nanocrystals (10-20 nm). Furthermore, the Li electroactivites of the cobalt oxide nanoparticles were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. The cobalt oxide nanoparticles could deliver high capacities over 420 mA h g-1 at a C/5 current rate