3D sandwich-shaped graphene-based nanocomposite intercalated with double-shelled hollow MnCo2O4 spheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

In this work, we develop a scalable method combining stirring-evaporation and post thermal annealing to synthesize a 3D sandwich-shaped graphene-based nanocomposite intercalated with double-shelled hollow MnCo2O4 spheres (MCO-27.2G) as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Starting from quasi-hollow MnCo-glycolate spheres fabricated based on inside-out Ostwald ripening process, highly mesoporous hollow MnCo2O4 spheres (MCO-II) are first synthesized via annealing in air. After the stirring-evaporation of mixture of the MCO-II spheres and graphene oxide sheets (GO), the resulted sandwich-shaped nanocomposite is followed by annealing in Ar to induce the reduction of GO and formation of double-shelled hollow MnCo2O4 spheres (MCO). Owing to the synergistic effect between the interconnected graphene matrix and hollow MCO spheres, the as-prepared 3D sandwich-shaped MCO-27.2G nanocomposite exhibits significantly enhanced rate capability (538 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1) and outstanding cycle performance with high capability (703 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1). These results indicate the MCO-27.2G nanocomposite has huge potential as anode materials for high-performance LIBs.