One-step electrodeposition of petal-like nitrogen-modified β-Co(OH)2 on carbon cloth as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

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The advancement of lithium-ion batteries toward higher energy densities depends critically on the development of anode materials that offer both exceptional capacity and structural durability. Transition metal hydroxides like Co(OH) 2 are promising but suffer from low conductivity and structural instability. While the α-phase is often prioritized for its larger interlayer spacing, this work demonstrates that the less-explored β-phase can be engineered for superior performance through interface control. We report a facile one-step electrodeposition strategy to fabricate petal-like N-modified β-Co(OH) 2 nanosheets directly on carbon cloth (CC) using 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) as a dual-function additive. The 2-MI acts as a morphological director, enabling a hierarchical porous structure, and as a nitrogen source, enhancing electronic conductivity and Li + interaction. The optimized CC@β-Co(OH) 2 -8 anode exhibits an exceptional reversible capacity of 2525.4 mAh g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 and outstanding rate capability (1146.9 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 ). It also demonstrates remarkable long-term stability, retaining 1014.5 mAh g −1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g −1 . Kinetic analysis reveals a dominant pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism (71.3%), accounting for the excellent rate performance. This interface engineering strategy provides a valuable pathway for developing high-performance metal hydroxide-based anodes.