The effective shape-controlled
synthesis of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoarrays on nickel foam
substrates has been achieved through
a simple hydrothermal strategy. When they served as the binder- and
conductive-agent-free porous cathodes for nonaqueous Li–O<sub>2</sub> batteries, they sufficiently reflect the favorable catalytic
characteristic of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and alleviate the problems
of serious pore blocking and surface passivation caused by insoluble
and insulating discharge products. In particular, Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> rectangular nanosheets exhibit superior electrocatalytic
performance comparing with Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanowires and
hexagonal nanosheets, leading to higher specific capacity and better
cycling stability over 54 cycles at 100 mA g<sup>–1</sup>,
which relate to their good pore structure, large specific surface
area, and highly active {112} exposed plane, effectively promoting
the mass transport and reversible formation and decomposition of discharge
products in the cathode. These comparisons further indicate the morphology
effect of nanostructured Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> on their performances
as free-standing catalysts for Li–O<sub>2</sub> batteries,
which also have been proved through the further analysis of discharge
products on different shapes of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoarrays
electrodes