Fabrication of MnO@C-CNTs composite by CVD for enhanced performance of lithium ion batteries

A novel MnO@Amorphous C-Carbon nanotubes (MnO@C-CNTs) composite is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). When used as an anode material for Li-ion batteries, the MnO@C-CNTs composite exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 1164 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and the discharge capacity gradually increased from 571.7 mA h g−1 to 654 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 1 A g−1, which shows an increase of the capacity rather than attenuation. Furthermore, the MnO@C-CNTs electrode can deliver a capacity of up to 228 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1. These results indicate that the three-dimensional conductive network of the MnO@C-CNTs composite could prevent the aggregation of MnO particles, and its open structure allows electrolyte penetration, and reduces the diffusion path of the lithium ions, hence maximizes utilization of the electrochemically active MnO particles, while enhances the conductivity of electrode material and Li+ transport. This work offers a universal approach to design various metal oxides@C-CNTs composite.