Coaxial MnO/C nanotubes as anodes for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 56; no. 16; pp. 5844 - 5848
• Main Authors: Ding, Y.L., Wu, C.Y., Yu, H.M., Xie, J., Cao, G.S., Zhu, T.J., Zhao, X.B., Zeng, Y.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 30-06-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetylene; Anode materials; Anodes; Applied sciences; Carbon; Coaxial nanotubes; Diffraction; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium-ion batteries; MnO/C; Nanoparticles; Nanotubes; Scanning electron microscopy; Lithium-ion batteries; MnO/C; Coaxial nanotubes; Anode materials; Scanning electron microscopy; Cycling; Anode; Nanotube; Secondary cell; Electrode material; Carbon; X ray diffraction; Discharge charge cycle; Discharge; Surface structure; Transmission electron microscopy; Morphology; Manganese Oxides; Lithion ion batteries; Raman spectrometry; Specific capacity; Electrical characteristic
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2011.04.071

[Display omitted]
► Coaxial MnO/C nanotube with an average diameter of about 450 nm, a wall thickness of about 150 nm, a length of 1-5 μm and a 10 nm thick carbon layer has been prepared based on an in-situ reduction route in acetylene using β-MnO
2 nanotubes as self-templates. ► The product exhibits higher rate capability and cycling performance than bare MnO nanotubes and nanoparticles. ► The coaxial carbon layer and one-dimensional structures for MnO/C nanotubes are responsible for the improved rate capabilities and cycling performance. ► The coaxial carbon layer of MnO/C nanotubes is beneficial to improving the electric conductivity and protecting MnO from electrolyte etching.
Coaxial MnO/C nanotubes with an average diameter of about 450
nm, a wall thickness of about 150
nm, a length of 1–5
μm and a 10
nm thick carbon layer have been prepared using β-MnO
2 nanotubes as self-templates in acetylene at 600
°C. The microstructure of the product has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the product has been evaluated by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. It is found that the product exhibits a reversible capacity of nearly 500
mAh
g
−1 at a current density of 188.9
mA
g
−1, and 83.9% of capacity retention, higher than bare MnO nanotubes (58.2%) and MnO nanoparticles (25.8%). The results reveal that coaxial MnO/C nanotubes would be a promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.