Enhancing the performance of MnO by double carbon modification for advanced lithium-ion battery anodes

Porous hybrid materials with designed micro/nano-sub-structures have been recognized as promising anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high capacity and reliable performance. The low electrical conductivity and side-reactions at the interface of electrode/electrolyte prohibit their practical applications. Carbon material modification can effectively enhance the conductivity and mechanical properties, and suppress the direct contact between the electrode and electrolyte, leading to enhanced performance. Herein, unique porous MnO with micro/nano-architectures has been in situ decorated with carbon layers on the surface and by carbon nanotube doping between the particles (denoted as MnO@C/CNTs) by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) treatment. As anodes in LIBs, these MnO@C/CNTs exhibit remarkable cycling performance (1266 mA h g(-1) after 300 cycles at 500 mA g(-1)) and good rate capability (850 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1)). The inspiring performance is associated with the carbon modified porous micro/nano-structure features which can buffer the volume expansion and promote the ion/electron transfer at the interface of electrode/electrolyte.