Integration of urchin-like MnCo2O4@C core-shell nanowire arrays within porous copper current collector for superior performance Li-ion battery anodes

作者：Zhang, Xue-Ru; Wu, Qiong; Zhang, Yong^*; Li, Xi-Fei; Xie, Ting; Wu, Yu-Cheng^*

来源：RARE METALS, 2024, 43(2): 599-611.

DOI：10.1007/s12598-023-02383-0

• MnCo2O4@C
• Urchin-like nanowire arrays
• Core-shell
• Integrated anode materials
• Lithium-ion batteries

Spinel MnCo2O4 is a promising energy storage candidate as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries owing to synergistic effects of two intrinsic solid-state redox couples. However, low conductivity, poor rate capacity and rapid capacity fading have seriously impaired its practical applications. To overcome the inferiorities, urchin-like MnCo2O4@C core-shell nanowire arrays have been fabricated directly within a porous copper current collector via a facile hydrothermal method followed by a chemical vapor deposition carbonization process. In a typical nanowire, the core is composed of interconnected MnCo2O4 nanoparticles and the shell shows as a thin amorphous carbon layer. The integrated MnCo2O4@C/Cu structure could act as working anodes without using additives or polymer binders. While MnCo2O4@C/Cu possesses slightly longer Li-ion insertion/desertion pathway than that of MnCo2O4/Cu, the carbon shell could effectively prevent the pulverization of MnCo2O4 and lower down charge transfer resistance and actively participate in Li-ion cycles. The rearrangement of carbon atoms during lithiation/delithiation cycling could inhibit the formation of passive solid electrolyte interphase films. As a result, the MnCo2O4@C/Cu electrode presents superior rate capacity (600 mAh<middle dot>g(-1) at 1 A<middle dot>g(-1)) and better stability (797 mAh<middle dot>g(-1) after 200 cycles at 100 mA<middle dot>g(-1)). The excellent reversible Li ion storage capacity, cycling stability and rate capacity endow MnCo2O4@C/Cu great potential as stable and high output integrated anode materials in Li-ion batteries.

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