Co-Fe layered double hydroxide nanowall array grown from an alloy substrate and its calcined product as a composite anode for lithium-ion batteries

Co-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanowall arrays (NWAs) have been grown directly from a flexible alloy substrate by a facile hydrothermal method. An ultrasonication test of 30 min towards the as-made Co-Fe LDH NWAs has demonstrated their ultra-robust mechanical adhesion to the substrate. In particular, an in situ carbon-source coating (ISCC) on the Co-Fe LDH NWAs was achieved during their in situ growing process conducted in a glucose-containing reaction solution. After annealing treatment in an argon atmosphere, carbon coated Co-Fe mixed oxide NWAs were evolved from thermal decomposition of LDH precursors and carbonization of glucose, and further investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). When tested, the obtained carbon coated Co-Fe mixed oxide NWAs with improved electrical conductivity exhibited superior electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacity and cyclability as compared to a carbon-free sample and a sample made by the previous carbon-coating method. Our work presents an alternative way to fabricate in situ mixed transition metal oxide nanostructures for high-performance LIBs.