Pore size modulation for mesoporous MnO2/ acetylene black with superior rate performance as lithium-ion battery anode material.

• Mesoporous materials with different pore sizes of 16.9 nm and 23.1 nm were prepared respectively. • The smaller pore size increases the pseudo-capacitance and decreases the R ct. • Pore size optimization facilitates material charge/discharge capacity and rate performance. The mesopore structure is critical to the performance of anode for LIBs, while the effect of pore size on the electrochemical properties of the materials remains unclear. In this study, mesoporous MnO 2 /acetylene black composites with different pore sizes exhibit similar reaction mechanisms but significantly differ in rate performance. This difference may be primarily attributed to the local electrochemical environment of the electrode. This study provides a new perspective for enhancing the rate capability of manganese-based oxides from the microstructure tuning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]