Hierarchical porous CoMn2O4 microspheres with sub-nanoparticles as advanced anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

To deal with the large volume change for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), we illustrate the synthesis of CoMn2O4 microspheres with sub-nanoparticles by a hydrothermal method followed by thermal treatment. The size of microsphere is approximately 2.2 μm, and the sub-nanoparticle is about 17 nm. There is sufficient void space between CoMn2O4 microspheres with sub-nanoparticles for ensuring the well structural integrity. As advanced anode for LIBs, CoMn2O4 microspheres display stable specific capacity retention of 772 mAh g−1 over 500 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1. Such a kind of structure is beneficial for enhanced rate and cycling capabilities in LIBs applications, which could increase contact area between electrolyte and active materials, short path for lithium ions and electrons and accommodate the volume change with additional void space during cycling. It has a great application prospect for use as electrochemical energy storage because of the enhanced performance.