Nitrogen-doped carbon-wrapped porous single-crystalline CoO nanocubes for high-performance lithium storage.

Herein, we have designed and synthesized a novel type of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported CoO nanohybrids, i.e., nitrogen-doped carbon-wrapped porous single-crystalline CoO nanocubes (CoO@N-C nanocubes), by using Co3O4 nanocubes as precursors. Owing to its unique structural features, the as-synthesized CoO@N-C nanocubes demonstrate markedly enhanced anodic performance in terms of reversible capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability, facilitating its application as a high-capacity, long-life, and high-rate anode for advanced lithium-ion batteries.