Novel Bake-in-Salt Method for the Synthesis of Mesoporous Mn3O4@C Networks with Superior Cycling Stability and Rate Performance

The commercial applications of Mn₃O₄ in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are greatly restricted because of the low electrical conductivity and poor cycling stability at high current density. To overcome these drawbacks, mesoporous Mn₃O₄@C networks were designed and synthesized via an improved bake-in-salt method using NaCl as the assistant salt, and without the protection of inert gas. The added NaCl plays a versatile role during the synthetic process, including the heat conducting medium, removable hard template and protective layer. Because of the homogeneous distribution of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles within the carbon matrix, the as-prepared Mn₃O₄@C networks show excellent cycling stability in LIBs. After cycling for 950 times at a current density of 1 A g^-1, the discharge capacity of the as-prepared Mn₃O₄@C networks is determined to be 754.4 mA h g^-1, showing superior cycling stability as compared to its counterparts. The valuable and promising method, simple synthetic procedure and excellent cycling stability of the as-prepared Mn₃O₄@C networks makes it a promising candidate as the potential anode material for LIBs.