Mn3O4 nanocrystals anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Mn3O4 nanocomposite with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been successfully fabricated via a simple solvothermal route assisted by sodium acetate. Mn3O4 nanocrystals are uniformly anchored on MWCNTs. As anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the nanocomposite exhibits excellent cycling stability and rate capability. It delivers an initial reversible capacity of 1380 mAh g− 1 at a current density of 100 mA g− 1, and retains the capacity to 592 mAh g− 1 after 50 cycles. Even at 1000 mA g− 1, the capacity is still 387 mAh g− 1 after 35 cycles. The superior performance is ascribed to the unique architecture with short diffusion length for lithium ions and effective conductive network for electron transport.

► Mn3O4/MWCNTs nanocomposite was prepared via a facile solvothermal method.
► The highly dispersed ultrafine Mn3O4 nanocrystals are uniformly anchored on the surface of MWCNTs.
► The Mn3O4/MWCNT composite exhibits high capacity, stable cycling performance and excellent rate capability.