ZIF-8-Derived Carbon In-Situ Encapsulated Hollow Mn2SiO4 Sub-Microspheres as Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries with Ultrahigh Capacity and Excellent Rate Performance

Manganese silicate (Mn2SiO4) possessesamore suitable volume expansion (186%) compared to SiO x -based materials and is also characterized by lowcost, environmental friendliness, and considerable theoretical capacity.Hollow Mn2SiO4 sub-microspheres encapsulatedby a highly continuous network of conductive carbon (MSC) are preparedby the self-templating method and subsequent ZIF-8-derived carboncoating. The as-prepared Mn2SiO4@C hybrid underoptimal conditions (MSC-2) can provide a high capacity of 1343 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 A g(-1) and an excellentrate performance of 434 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1). Even after 500 cycles, MSC-2 can still maintain a considerablespecific capacity of 554 mA h g(-1) at a high currentdensity of 5.0 A g(-1). Additionally, the full cellassembled with MSC-2 anode and LiFePO4 cathode (MSC-2//LFP)possesses a robust energy density of 218 W h kg(-1), excellent power density of 2.5 kW kg(-1), and goodcycling stability.

Automated summary

Hollow Mn2SiO4 sub-microspheres encapsulated by a highly continuous network of conductive carbon were prepared and showed high capacity and cycling stability. A full cell assembled with the Mn2SiO4@C anode and LiFePO4 cathode exhibited excellent energy and power density.