A Convenient Synthesis Route for CoO Hollow Microspheres and Their Application as a High Performing Anode in Li-Ion Batteries.

A new, rapid, and cost-effective method for synthesizing hollow microspheres (HMSs) of cobalt oxide (CoO) using the phloroglucinol-formaldehyde gel route is reported here. Further, the synthesized hollow CoO microspheres were investigated as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The CoO hollow spheres exhibited excellent electrochemical performance and cycling stability, for example, a capacity of 915 mA h g was obtained at 1 C rate over 350 cycles.