Constructing N-doped carbon beads-encapsulated CoMn2O4 microboxes with pyramidal walls for enhanced Li storage

Abstract

Nanostructures of electrode materials have received intense attention due to their special properties including abundant active sites and short ion diffusion path in the field of energy storage and conversion. In this work, nitrogen-doped carbon beads-encapsulated hierarchical CoMn2O4 microboxes with pyramidal walls are constructed based on Kirkendall effect and self-assembly beginning from Co–Mn Prussian blue analog (PBA) microcubes. And the detailed morphological evolution process is investigated. The unique hollow porous structure of CoMn2O4 bimetallic oxide and the polymer pyrolytic carbon with rich nitrogen heteroatoms endow the composite with a large specific surface area and good conductivity, and make it exhibit excellent lithium storage performance. The morphology evolution analysis can provide support for designing unique nanostructures of electrode materials.