Multi-hierarchical heterostructure of GO/ NiCo2O4/Co3O4 for high power lithium-ion batteries

The application of high-rate lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been impeded by the sluggish kinetics, poor conductivity and volumetric expansion of anode materials. Rational design of the anode materials is essential for the rate performance of LIBs. Herein, a multihierarchical heterostructure composite composed of graphene oxide (GO)nanosheets, NiCo2O4 nanorods and Co3O4 nanocubes was synthesized via a self-template method. Owing to the elaborate nanostructure and synergy of the components, the anode attained favorable kinetics, structural stability and high conductivity and delivered a reversible capacity of 1283 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, an impressive rate capacity of 649.1 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1 and a long-term cycle performance with a capacity of 857 mA h g−1 retained after 1100 cycles at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the full cell assembled with the as-prepared anode and commercial cathode also delivered a high-rate capacity of 72 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a remarkable capacity retention of 92.3% after 100 cycles, demonstrating the promising potential of the anode in practical high-power LIBs. •Multi-hierarchical heterostructure composite was synthesized via a self-temple method.•The multi-hierarchical construction can enhance structural stability, protecting from volume expansion and agglomeration.•The heterostructure composed of Co3O4 nanocubes and NiCo2O4 nanorods was proved to accelerate the li-ion kinetics.•The GO/NiCo2O4/Co3O4 anode reaches a reversible capacity of 1283 mA h g−1 and a distinguished rate performance.•The full-cell with GO/NiCo2O4/Co3O4 anode and NCM 532 cathode exhibits remarkable energy density and high-power property.