An Effective Way to Optimize the Functionality of Graphene-Based Nanocomposite: Use of the Colloidal Mixture of Graphene and Inorganic Nanosheets

The best electrode performance of metal oxide–graphene nanocomposite material for lithium secondary batteries can be achieved by using the colloidal mixture of layered CoO(2) and graphene nanosheets as a precursor. The intervention of layered CoO(2) nanosheets in-between graphene nanosheets is fairly effective in optimizing the pore and composite structures of the Co(3)O(4)–graphene nanocomposite and also in enhancing its electrochemical activity via the depression of interaction between graphene nanosheets. The resulting CoO(2) nanosheet-incorporated nanocomposites show much greater discharge capacity of ~1750 mAhg(−1) with better cyclability and rate characteristics than does CoO(2)-free Co(3)O(4)–graphene nanocomposite (~1100 mAhg(−1)). The huge discharge capacity of the present nanocomposite is the largest one among the reported data of cobalt oxide–graphene nanocomposite. Such a remarkable enhancement of electrode performance upon the addition of inorganic nanosheet is also observed for Mn(3)O(4)–graphene nanocomposite. The improvement of electrode performance upon the incorporation of inorganic nanosheet is attributable to an improved Li(+) ion diffusion, an enhanced mixing between metal oxide and graphene, and the prevention of electrode agglomeration. The present experimental findings underscore an efficient and universal role of the colloidal mixture of graphene and redoxable metal oxide nanosheets as a precursor for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites.