Self-assembly and lithium storage performance of a nanoscale polyoxometalate based on the {MnTa18} cluster

A nanosized Ta/W mixed addendum polyoxometalate (Cs12K3H7[MnTa18Si6W54O231]center dot 61H(2)O) based on the unprecedented {MnTa18} cluster was fabricated successfully under hydrothermal conditions. An excellent electrochemical performance of this compound was found in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as an anode material. The discharge capacity was 829.9 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) in the first cycle and stable at 428.4 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles, which suggests the potential application of this new compound in LIBs.