In-situ carbonization for template-free synthesis of MoO2-Mo2C-C microspheres as high-performance lithium battery anode

Molybdenum oxide (MoO2) possesses high theoretical capacity (838 mA h g−1) for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), but it is still hindered by volume expansion and bad capacity after long cycling process. Herein, MoO2-Mo2C-C (denoted as MMC) microspheres as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are synthesized via in-situ carbonization. And one-step annealing approach is utilized instead of conventional high temperature hydrothermal method for preparing carbides. Moreover, by simply adjusting the proportion of Mo and polydopamine, the content of carbide can regulate to further control the capacity of the electrode material. When MMC microspheres are performed as LIBs, the hybrid materials reveal pretty reversible capacity of 1188 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g−1. Benefitting from the conductivity of Mo2C and C, the MMC microspheres deliver excellent cycling stability and high rate capability, which supply a potential method for preparing anodes of LIBs.