Dual-metal-organic frameworks derived manganese and zinc oxides nanohybrids as high performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Metal-organic framework (MOF) derivatives are attracting increasing interests for next-generation lithium-ion battery anode materials. Here, a novel approach has been applied to synthesize binary Mn–Zn oxides nanohybrids embedded in porous carbon matrix by pyrolysis of dual-metal-organic frameworks. The as-fabricated MnO/ZnO@C nanohybrids exhibit superior lithium storage capabilities, reaching a reversible capacity of 1396 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of higher than 75%. When cycled at 2 A g−1, the electrode maintained at 636 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles, indicating the outstanding high-rate capability and cycling stability. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the interconnected porous structure of carbon frameworks and uniform heterostructure nanohybrids, which efficiently improve the charge transfer and buffer the volume expansion during repeated lithiation process. These findings demonstrate an efficient strategy of using dual-MOF-derived bi-metal oxide nanostructures as high performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries.