Nanocrystalline Cellulose Supported MnO2 Composite Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

The rate capability and poor cycling stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are predominantly caused by the large volume expansion upon cycling and poor electrical conductivity of manganese dioxide (MnO2), which also exhibits the highest theoretical capacity among manganese oxides. In this study, a nanocomposite of nanosized MnO2 and pyrolyzed nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) was prepared with high electrical conductivity to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs. The nanocomposite electrode showed an initial discharge capacity of 1302 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 and exhibited a high discharge capacity of 305 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the MnO2-CNC nanocomposite delivered a good rate capability of up to 10 A g-1 and accommodated the large volume change upon repeated cycling tests.