Manganous oxide-cobalt@carbon microcubes with a hierarchical mesoporous structure for high performance lithium storage

Although manganese oxide-based materials possess excellent electrochemical performance potential, their low conductivity and unstable capacity during extended cycling prevent their seamless integration into commercial battery applications. In this study, MnO-Co@C cubes, which possess exceptional electrochemical properties due to their hierarchical mesoporous structure, were successfully synthesized as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The MnO-Co microcubes are enclosed and cross-linked through biomineralization-derived carbon with a three-dimensional interconnected network, mitigating the volumetric expansion of active substances upon the insertion of lithium ions (Li⁺). The incorporation of cobalt not only boosts the rate capability and specific capacity, but also acts as a protective measure to prevent MnO from further oxidizing to a higher valence state, thereby guaranteeing ultra-stable long-term cycling performance. Due to the distinctive hierarchical mesoporous structure and the advantageous properties of the Co-Mn–O synergies, the MnO-Co@C electrode exhibited a reversible specific capacity of 1087.0 mAh g⁻¹ following 200 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, it demonstrated remarkable cycling stability, maintaining a capacity of 799.6 mAh g⁻¹ even after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g⁻¹ without any significant capacity degradation. This innovative cube-shaped material introduces a revolutionary fabrication methodology and offers profound insights into MnO-based materials and various metal oxides, positioning them as promising anode candidates for the achievement of superior electrochemical performance.