Salt–template assisted fabrication of Co3O4 nanodots anchored into 2D N–doped carbon nanosheets as an advanced anode for lithium–ion batteries

The design and exploitation of advanced transition metal oxides (TMO)/carbon hybrid anodes remain significant but challenging for the evolution of lithium–ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, Co3O4 nanodots anchored into 2D N-doped carbon nanosheets (Co3O4 NDs/NCN) hybrid is successfully fabricated by a facile salt-template assisted pyrolysis strategy using glucose, Co(NO3)2·6H2O and NaCl salt template as reaction precursors. The morphology, structure and composition of the resultant Co3O4 NDs/NCN hybrid are systematically investigated, and the effect of salt template on the preparation of products is also deeply explored. It is surprisingly found that the introduction of NaCl template promotes the formation of Co3O4, which is different from what has been reported previously. In addition, the added NaCl template can be used to regulate the microstructure of Co3O4 NDs/NCN hybrid, which displays unique micromorphology (Co3O4 NDs anchored into 2D NCN), successful N doping in carbon matrix, Co-N-C bond between two components and much increased specific surface area. As a result, this hybrid shows excellent lithium storage performance when used as the anode for LIBs, which can be comparable to those previously reported Co3O4/C hybrid anodes. Clearly, this work offers a good reference for the construction of low-cost and high-performance TMO/carbon LIBs anodes. [Display omitted] •Co3O4 NDs/NCN can be prepared by a salttemplate assisted pyrolysis strategy.•The adding of NaCl template greatly affects the synthesis of Co3O4 NDs/NCN.•Co3O4 NDs/NCN possesses unique morphology and optimized structure.•Co3O4 NDs/NCN displays excellent lithium storage performance.•Our finding offers a good reference for the design of advanced TMO/C anodes.