Anchoring hollow MoO2 spheres on graphene for superior lithium storage

Hollow MoO2 spheres anchored on nitrogen-doped graphene (H-MoO2@rGO) are synthesized with an in situ self-assembly approach. The hollow structure could provide sufficient space to accommodate the volume variation of MoO2 during the discharge-charge process, thus improving the cycling stability. Nitrogen-doped graphene can accelerate the charge transfer. Moreover, the graphene and MoO2 are proved to be strongly connected through COMo linkage, which provide good pathways for charge transfer and thus allowing an improved rate capability. Benefiting from the above features, H-MoO2@rGO delivers impressive cycling stability with a capacity of 414 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 2 C. Even at a high discharge/charge rate of 5 C, the composite still could deliver a capacity of 478 mAh g−1.