High-performance lithium-ion battery anodes based on Mn3O4/nitrogen-doped porous carbon hybrid structures

Manganese oxide is a promising anode material in next-generation rechargeable batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity and low reduction potential. Here we report a facile and scalable approach to fabricate the novel Mn3O4 and nitrogen-doped porous carbon hybrid nanocomposite (Mn3O4/C-N) as lithium-ion battery anodes. The obtained nanocomposite has numerous nanosized Mn3O4 nanoparticles (similar to 30 nm), which are uniformly dispersed in N-doped porous carbon matrix (the N content is similar to 12.2%). The N-doped porous carbon matrix can not only improve the electronic conductivity and increase the Li+ storage active sites, but also accommodate the structural stress generated by volume change of Mn3O4 nanoparticles during cycling. Remarkably, the Mn3O4/C-N anode exhibits long-term cycling stability for a reversible discharge capacity of 945 mA h g(-1) (the specific capacity is calculated using the mass of the whole hybrid) at a current density of 1 A g(-1) after 400 cycles, indicating a capacity retention of 94.7%. The Mn3O4/C-N anode with excellent performance shows its immense potential for lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.