Nanocrystal manganese oxide (Mn3O4, MnO) anchored on graphite nanosheet with improved electrochemical Li-storage properties

Graphite nanosheet anchored with nanocrystal manganese oxide (Mn3O4, MnO) was synthesized by a facile in situ one-pot solvothermal route. It was found that nanosized Mn3O4 and MnO particles (30–50 nm) were homogeneously anchored on graphite nanosheet. During the hydrothermal reaction, the reduction of graphite oxide to graphite nanosheet and the formation of manganese oxide occur simultaneously, forming a manganese-oxide/graphite nanosheet sandwich structure. In this sandwich structure, the electrochemical properties of Mn3O4 and MnO can be obviously improved because of the buffering, confining and conducting effects of the graphite nanosheet. The good electrochemical performance of manganese-oxide/graphite nanosheet composites makes them potential application as anodes in Li-ion batteries.