MnO nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanofibers with sufficient buffer space for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 269; pp. 624 - 631
• Main Authors: Guo, Yanyan, Zheng, Liming, Lan, Jin-Le, Yu, Yunhua, Yang, Xiaoping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 10.04.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anodes; Batteries; Buffers; Carbon; Carbon fibers; Electrochemical analysis; Electrodes; Electronic equipment; Electrospinning; Encapsulation; Energy storage; Flexible anode; Flux density; Gravimetry; Heat treatment; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Lithium-ion battery; Manganese oxides; MnO nanoparticles@CNFs; Nanofibers; Nanoparticles; Rechargeable batteries; Storage batteries; Sufficient buffer space; Thermogravimetric analysis; Electrospinning; Lithium-ion battery; Sufficient buffer space; MnO nanoparticles@CNFs; Flexible anode
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.03.070

Flexible/foldable energy storage devices with high gravimetric energy density are highly desired due to the development of wearable electronic equipment. In this work, highly flexible/foldable MnO-based lithium-ion battery anode composed of MnO nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanofibers (MnO nanoparticles@CNFs) are fabricated by hydrothermal, electrospinning and subsequently thermal treatment. The freestanding, foldable carbon nanofibers membrane with sufficient void space in carbon nanofibers and containing over 50 wt % of MnO can be directly used as a freestanding anode for LIBs. This hybrid membrane electrode exhibites remarkable reversible capacity (773 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles). It also shows outstanding rate capability (407 mA h g-1 at 2 A g−1) and robust long cycling stability with specific capacity (400 mA h g-1 at 1 A g−1 after 500 cycles). This work proposes a simple, low-cost and environmental friendly method for preparing free-standing and binder-free composite membrane electrodes with sufficient buffer space, high loading and remarkable electrochemical properties used in lithium ion batteries. •Flexible/foldable freestanding and binder-free MnO nanoparticles @ carbon nanofiber membranes were fabricated.•The internal empty space and high mass loading make the membranes deliver high capacity.•The electrode show robust long-term reversible capacity of 400 mA h g-1 at high current rate of 1 A g−1 after 500 cycles.