Highly reversible lithium storage in Bacillus subtilis-directed porous Co₃O₄ nanostructures

In this work, a simple, high-yield biomineralization process is reported for cobalt oxide nanostructures using Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, as the soft templates. Rod-type cobalt oxide is prepared at room temperature through an electrostatic interaction between the functional surface structures of the bacteria and the cobalt ions in an aqueous solution. Additionally, porous Co₃O₄ hollow rods are formed through a subsequent heat treatment at 300 °C. These rods have a high surface area and exhibited an excellent electrochemical performance for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. This facile, inexpensive, and environmentally benign synthesis for transition metal oxides with unique nanostructures can be used for several practical applications, such as batteries, catalysts, sensors, and supercapacitors.