Adhesive nanocomposites of hypergravity induced Co₃O₄ nanoparticles and natural gels as Li-ion battery anode materials with high capacitance and low resistance

An adhesive composite of hypergravity induced Co₃O₄ nanoparticles and natural xanthan gum (XG) was prepared and applied as the anode electrode of a Li-ion battery for the first time. The Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were hydrothermally prepared and assembled on the water-oil interface with the assistance of hypergravity. The discharge capacity of the final nanocomposite anodes with the xanthan gum binder can reach 742.5 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at a charge-discharge rate of 0.5 C, whereas the Co₃O₄ working electrode with a traditional PVDF binder only displayed a lower capacity of 219.9 mA h g⁻¹. The addition of the XG binder can improve the electrochemical performance of the hypergravity Co₃O₄ anode due to its high viscosity, which can relieve the volume expansion of the Co₃O₄ particles during charge-discharge cycles. What's more, the XG can efficiently transfer Li-ions to the surface of the Co₃O₄ like polyethylene oxide (PEO) solid electrolytes.