A two-step strategy for the preparation of ultra-small Mn3O4 @C anode for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Nano-engineering and hybrid with carbon are effective methods for improving the electrochemical performance of Mn3O4 anodes. However, there are many difficulties in further reducing the size of Mn3O4. To solve these challenges, a novel hollow microsphere structure constituted of ultra-small Mn3O4 nanoparticles (less than 5 nm) embedded within ultrathin carbon nanosheets is designed as anode materials by a simple two-step heating treatment method. The ultra-small Mn3O4 nanoparticles will accelerate the kinetic reaction process and relieve volume variation. Meanwhile, In-situ fabrication of conductive carbon nanosheets play an important role in the electronic/ion transfer and the structure stability. Due to the synergistic effect of ultra-small Mn3O4 nanoparticles and carbon nanosheets, the material shows a topmost reversible capacity of 804 mAh g−1 at the current density of 1 C and maintains a high specific capacity of 603 mAh g−1 after 700 cycles. The strategy can be extended to prepare of other functional nanoparticles and apply in energy storage and catalysis.