Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of Zn-doped MnO/C submicrospheres for lithium ion batteries

We report a synthesis, characterization and unique electrochemical behavior of Zn-doped MnO/carbon hybrid submicrospheres (denoted as Zn-MnO/C) as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The Zn-MnO/C submicrospheres are prepared via the volatilization of Zn from polydopamine coated ZnMn2O4 submicrospheres through a thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere at 800 °C, during which Zn ions in ZnMn2O4 is reduced to metallic Zn by the polydopamine-derived carbon and volatilize greatly with the increase of temperature. The obtained Zn-MnO/C composite submicrospheres show a long cycle life and deliver an anverage capacity of 680 mAh g−1 when employed as an anode for LIBs between 0.01 and 3 V vs. Li/Li+ at 500 mA g−1. It is also found that after extended cycling, hexagonal ZnMn2O4 nanoplates are formed in the Zn-MnO/C electrode after cycling, and CV test reveals the presence of a new oxidation peak at a higher oxidation voltage, indicating the formation of ZnMn2O4 is due to the further reaction of ZnO and MnO during the delithation process.