Facile synthesis and cation distribution of MgCo2O4 microspheres as anode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract MgCo2O4 microspheres were synthesized through a facile solvothermal method. The as-synthesized microspheres were about 3–8 μm in diameter and were assembled closely by nanoparticles. The cation distribution and cobalt (Co) valence were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Co3+ and Co2+ ions were all present in the samples. Co3+ ions were located in the octahedral sites and Co2+ occupied both tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the spinel structure, the inversion degree was 0.22–0.17 and slightly decreased with increasing calcination temperature. The electrochemical performance of the samples as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was studied, the result showed that the sample calcined at 400 °C displayed the largest initial discharge capacity of 1120 mA h·g−1 and the capacity decreased with increasing temperature.