Uniform Pomegranate-Like Nanoclusters Organized by Ultrafine Transition Metal Oxide@Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Subunits with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

Uniform pomegranate-like nanoclusters (NCs) organized by ultrafine transition metal oxide@nitrogen-doped carbon (TMO@N-C) subunits (diameter approximate to 4 nm) are prepared on a large scale for the first time through a facile, novel, and one-pot approach. Taking pomegranate-like Fe3O4@N-C NCs as an example, this unique structure provides short Li+/electron diffusion pathways for electrochemical reactions, structural stability during cycling, and high electrical conductivity, leading to superior electrochemical performance. The resulting pomegranate-like Fe3O4@N-C NCs possess a high specific capacity (1204.3 mA h g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) over 100 cycles), a stable cycle life (1063.0 mA h g(-1) at 1 A g(-1), 98.4% retention after 1000 cycles), and excellent rate capacities (606.0 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1), 92.0% retention; 417.1 mA h g(-1) at 20 A g(-1), 91.7% retention after 1000 cycles).