Template-free formation of one-dimensional mesoporous ZnMn2O4 tube-in-tube nanofibers towards lithium-ion batteries as anode materials

Abstract

Spinel ZnMn₂O₄ with high theoretical lithium storage capacity and appropriate oxidation potential has been regarded as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, its practical application is always hindered by serious volume expansion, stability and modest rate performance. Herein, we firstly devised a template-free strategy to prepare mesoporous ZnMn₂O₄ tube-in-tube nanofibers (ZMO TiT NFs) by utilizing the electrospinning strategy and subsequent heat-treatment process. Furthermore, detailed experimental analyses clearly shed light upon the formation mechanism of ZMO TiT NFs. When utilized as anode materials for LIBs, they exhibit even better electrochemical Li-storage behavior in terms of reversible capacity (∼495.7 mA h g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹) and cycling stability (564.6 mA h g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles), when compared to ZMO nanotubes, benefiting from their unique structural merits. The contribution here promises our designed ZMO TiT NFs as competitive anode materials for advanced LIBs and beyond.