Nanoflaky MnO2/carbon nanotube nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Caterpillar-like nanoflaky MnO₂/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites are synthesized via a facile solution method. To build a three-dimensional hierarchy architecture, highly porous interconnected MnO₂ nanoflakes are uniformly coated on the surface of the CNTs. As a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the nanoflaky MnO₂/CNT nanocomposite electrode exhibits a large reversible capacity of 801 mA h g⁻¹ (∼1000 mA h g⁻¹ can be attributed to the MnO₂ porous layer alone) for the first cycle without capacity fade for the first 20 cycles and with a good rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance of the MnO₂/CNT nanocomposite electrode compared to the pure MnO₂ electrode can be attributed to its unique hierarchy architecture, which is able to provide fast lithium ion and electron transport and to accommodate a large volume change during the conversion reactions.