Synthesis and Lithium Storage Performance of CoO/CoSe Composite Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Paper

Abstract

For high-performance lithium-ion battery applications, this study successfully constructed a self-supported composite electrode with CoO/CoSe heterostructure nanoparticles loaded on carbon paper via a two-step hydrothermal-selenization method. XRD and SEM characterizations confirmed the uniform distribution of CoO/CoSe nanoparticles on the carbon paper fibers, forming a robust 3D porous conductive network. Electrochemical tests demonstrated the superior performance of this composite electrode: in galvanostatic charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and rate capability tests, its lithium storage capacity, cycling stability, and rate performance significantly outperformed those of non-self-supported CoO/CoSe materials. The performance enhancement mechanism arises from the structural advantages: the CoO/CoSe heterointerface accelerates ion/electron kinetics, while the carbon paper backbone provides rapid electron transport pathways and effectively mitigates electrode volume expansion to maintain structural integrity. The developed carbon paper-based CoO/CoSe self-supported anode addresses the key bottlenecks of slow ion diffusion and large volume expansion in conventional anode materials through the synergistic effect of heterostructure design and 3D conductive architecture, exhibiting high specific capacity, long cycle life, and excellent rate capability. This strategy provides an effective approach for developing next-generation high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes with significant application potential. Future work will focus on optimizing the fabrication process and advancing practical full-cell studies.