g–C3N4–assisted synthesis of ultrafine Mn2O3 nanoparticles embedded into N–doped carbon for advanced lithium–ion battery anode

The construction of advanced transition metal oxide (TMO)/carbon anodes to substitute graphite is always being an enormous challenge for the evolution of lithium–ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a g–C3N4–assisted pyrolysis strategy is exploited to produce Mn2O3 nanoparticles embedded into N–doped carbon (Mn2O3@NC) hybrids. The results confirm that g–C3N4 plays three critical roles (dispersing agent, pore–forming agent and doping agent) in producing Mn2O3@NC hybrids. In the meantime, it is verified that the feed of Mn source greatly affects the synthesis of Mn2O3@NC hybrids. As a consequence, the resultant Mn2O3@NC–M (M means medium loading of Mn source) reaches a balanced proportion of Mn2O3 and NC, and contemporaneously displays a series of intriguing features, including ultrafine Mn2O3 nanoparticles, large specific surface area, rich mesopores and much high N doping amount. Benefitting from these advantages, the obtained Mn2O3@NC–M shows much enhanced cycling stability and rate performance when engaged as an battery anode.