Lotus-Root-Like MnO/C Hybrids as Anode Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lotus-root-like MnO/C mesoscale hybrids, featuring nanometer-sized monodisperse metal oxide particles uniformly embedded in a porous carbon matrix, were in situ synthesized by a facile and scalable method: poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted aqueous precipitation followed by thermal decomposition of the precursors. The resulting hierarchical-structured MnO/C hybrids showed a desirable capacity, as well as superior cycling durability and rate capability. These performances can be ascribed to its particular structure: The cavity of the lotus root and the voids between manganese oxide and carbon are sufficient mechanical buffers to avoid agglomeration and pulverization, and the conductive pathway of well-interconnected carbon “walls” favor fast electron and Li-ion transport during electrochemical cycling.