One-pot synthesis of manganese oxide-carbon composite microspheres with three dimensional channels for Li-ion batteries

The fabrication of manganese oxide-carbon composite microspheres with open nanochannels and their electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium ion batteries are investigated. Amorphous-like Mn(3)O(4) nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix with three-dimensional channels are fabricated by one-pot spray pyrolysis. The electrochemical properties of the Mn(3)O(4) nanopowders are also compared with those of the Mn(3)O(4)-C composite microspheres possessing macropores resembling ant-cave networks. The discharge capacity of the Mn(3)O(4)-C composite microspheres at a current density of 500 mA g(−1) is 622 mA h g(−1) after 700 cycles. However, the discharge capacity of the Mn(3)O(4) nanopowders is as low as 219 mA h g(−1) after 100 cycles. The Mn(3)O(4)-C composite microspheres with structural advantages and high electrical conductivity have higher initial discharge and charge capacities and better cycling and rate performances compared to those of the Mn(3)O(4) nanopowders.