Novel 2D Layered Molybdenum Ditelluride Encapsulated in Few‐Layer Graphene as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Molybdenum ditelluride nanosheets encapsulated in few‐layer graphene (MoTe₂/FLG) are synthesized by a simple heating method using Te and Mo powder and subsequent ball milling with graphite. The as‐prepared MoTe₂/FLG nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with a highly reversible capacity of 596.5 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1, a high rate capability (334.5 mAh g^?1 at 2 A g^?1), and superior cycling stability (capacity retention of 99.5% over 400 cycles at 0.5 A g^?1). Ex situ X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are used to explore the lithium storage mechanism of MoTe₂. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of a MoTe₂/FLG//0.35Li₂MnO₃·0.65LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ full cell is investigated, which displays a reversible capacity of 499 mAh g^?1 (based on the MoTe₂/FLG mass) at 100 mA g^?1 and a capacity retention of 78% over 50 cycles, suggesting the promising application of MoTe₂/FLG for lithium‐ion storage. First‐principles calculations exhibit that the lowest diffusion barrier (0.18 eV) for lithium ions along pathway III in the MoTe₂ layered structure is beneficial for improving the Li intercalation/deintercalation property.     

Glucose‐Induced Synthesis of 1T‐MoS2/C Hybrid for High‐Rate Lithium‐Ion Batteries

1T phase MoS₂ possesses higher conductivity than the 2H phase, which is a key parameter of electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a 1T‐MoS₂/C hybrid is successfully synthesized through facile hydrothermal method with a proper glucose additive. The synthesized hybrid material is composed of smaller and fewer‐layer 1T‐MoS₂ nanosheets covered by thin carbon layers with an enlarged interlayer spacing of 0.94 nm. When it is used as an anode material for LIBs, the enlarged interlayer spacing facilitates rapid intercalating and deintercalating of lithium ions and accommodates volume change during cycling. The high intrinsic conductivity of 1T‐MoS₂ also contributes to a faster transfer of lithium ions and electrons. Moreover, much smaller and fewer‐layer nanosheets can shorten the diffusion path of lithium ions and accelerate reaction kinetics, leading to an improved electrochemical performance. It delivers a high initial capacity of 920.6 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1 and the capacity can maintain 870 mAh g^?1 even after 300 cycles, showing a superior cycling stability. The electrode presents a high rate performance as well with a reversible capacity of 600 mAh g^?1 at 10 A g^?1. These results show that the 1T‐MoS₂/C hybrid shows potential for use in high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.     

Efficient Laser‐Induced Construction of Oxygen‐Vacancy Abundant Nano‐ZnCo2O4/Porous Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrids toward Exceptional Capacitive Lithium Storage

Recently, binary ZnCo₂O₄ has drawn enormous attention for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) as attractive anode owing to its large theoretical capacity and good environmental benignity. However, the modest electrical conductivity and serious volumetric effect/particle agglomeration over cycling hinder its extensive applications. To address the concerns, herein, a rapid laser‐irradiation methodology is firstly devised toward efficient synthesis of oxygen‐vacancy abundant nano‐ZnCo₂O₄/porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids as anodes for LIBs. The synergistic contributions from nano‐dimensional ZnCo₂O₄ with rich oxygen vacancies and flexible rGO guarantee abundant active sites, fast electron/ion transport, and robust structural stability, and inhibit the agglomeration of nanoscale ZnCo₂O₄, favoring for superb electrochemical lithium‐storage performance. More encouragingly, the optimal L‐ZCO@rGO‐30 anode exhibits a large reversible capacity of ≈1053 mAh g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1, excellent cycling stability (≈746 mAh g^?1 at 1.0 A g^?1 after 250 cycles), and preeminent rate capability (≈686 mAh g^?1 at 3.2 A g^?1). Further kinetic analysis corroborates that the capacitive‐controlled process dominates the involved electrochemical reactions of hybrid anodes. More significantly, this rational design holds the promise of being extended for smart fabrication of other oxygen‐vacancy abundant metal oxide/porous rGO hybrids toward advanced LIBs and beyond.     

Porous Carbon Nanofibers Encapsulated with Peapod‐Like Hematite Nanoparticles for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Battery Anodes

Fe₂O₃ is regarded as a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high specific capacity. The large volume change during discharge and charge processes, however, induces significant cracking of the Fe₂O₃ anodes, leading to rapid fading of the capacity. Herein, a novel peapod‐like nanostructured material, consisting of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles homogeneously encapsulated in the hollow interior of N‐doped porous carbon nanofibers, as a high‐performance anode material is reported. The distinctive structure not only provides enough voids to accommodate the volume expansion of the pea‐like Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles but also offers a continuous conducting framework for electron transport and accessible nanoporous channels for fast diffusion and transport of Li/Na‐ions. As a consequence, this peapod‐like structure exhibits a stable discharge capacity of 1434 mAh g^?1 (at 100 mA g^?1) and 806 mAh g^?1 (at 200 mA g^?1) over 100 cycles as anode materials for LIBs and SIBs, respectively. More importantly, a stable capacity of 958 mAh g^?1 after 1000 cycles and 396 mAh g^?1 after 1500 cycles can be achieved for LIBs and SIBs, respectively, at a large current density of 2000 mA g^?1. This study provides a promising strategy for developing long‐cycle‐life LIBs and SIBs.     

CuO Nanoplates for High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Batteries

Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries because of the abundance and low cost of K. However, an important challenge faced by KIBs is the search for high‐capacity materials that can hold large‐diameter K ions. Herein, copper oxide (CuO) nanoplates are synthesized as high‐performance anode materials for KIBs. CuO nanoplates with a thickness of ≈20 nm afford a large electrode–electrolyte contact interface and short K⁺ ion diffusion distance. As a consequence, a reversible capacity of 342.5 mAh g^?1 is delivered by the as‐prepared CuO nanoplate electrode at 0.2 A g^?1. Even after 100 cycles at a high current density of 1.0 A g^?1, the capacity of the electrode remains over 206 mAh g^?1, which is among the best values for KIB anodes reported in the literature. Moreover, a conversion reaction occurs at the CuO anode. Cu nanoparticles form during the first potassiation process and reoxidize to Cu₂O during the depotassiation process. Thereafter, the conversion reaction proceeds between the as‐formed Cu₂O and Cu, yielding a reversible theoretical capacity of 374 mAh g^?1. Considering their low cost, easy preparation, and environmental benignity, CuO nanoplates are promising KIB anode materials.     

Engineering 2D Nanofluidic Li‐Ion Transport Channels for Superior Electrochemical Energy Storage

Rational surface engineering of 2D nanoarchitectures‐based electrode materials is crucial as it may enable fast ion transport, abundant‐surface‐controlled energy storage, long‐term structural integrity, and high‐rate cycling performance. Here we developed the stacked ultrathin Co₃O₄ nanosheets with surface functionalization (SUCNs‐SF) converted from layered hydroxides with inheritance of included anion groups (OH^?, NO₃^?, CO₃^2?). Such stacked structure establishes 2D nanofluidic channels offering extra lithium storage sites, accelerated Li‐ion transport, and sufficient buffering space for volume change during electrochemical processes. Tested as an anode material, this unique nanoarchitecture delivers high specific capacity (1230 and 1011 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 and 1 A g^?1, respectively), excellent rate performance, and long cycle capability (1500 cycles at 5 A g^?1). The demonstrated advantageous features by constructing 2D nanochannels in nonlayered materials may open up possibilities for designing high‐power lithium ion batteries.     

Mechanochemical Synthesis of γ‐Graphyne with Enhanced Lithium Storage Performance

γ‐Graphyne is a new nanostructured carbon material with large theoretical Li⁺ storage due to its unique large conjugate rings, which makes it a potential anode for high‐capacity lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, γ‐graphyne‐based high‐capacity LIBs are demonstrated experimentally. γ‐Graphyne is synthesized through mechanochemical and calcination processes by using CaC₂ and C₆Br₆. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid‐state ¹³C NMR and Raman spectra are conducted to confirm its morphology and chemical structure. The sample presents 2D mesoporous structure and is exactly composed of sp and sp²‐hybridized carbon atoms as the γ‐graphyne structure. The electrode shows high Li⁺ storage (1104.5 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1) and rate capability (435.1 mAh g^?1 at 5 A g^?1). The capacity retention can be up to 948.6 (200 mA g^?1 for 350 cycles) and 730.4 mAh g^?1 (1 A g^?1 for 600 cycles), respectively. These excellent electrochemical performances are ascribed to the mesoporous architecture, large conjugate rings, enlarged interplanar distance, and high structural integrity for fast Li⁺ diffusion and improved cycling stability in γ‐graphyne. This work provides an environmentally benign and cost‐effective mechanochemical method to synthesize γ‐graphyne and demonstrates its superior Li⁺ storage experimentally.     

Electrostatically Assembling 2D Nanosheets of MXene and MOF‐Derivatives into 3D Hollow Frameworks for Enhanced Lithium Storage

As an essential member of 2D materials, MXene (e.g., Ti₃C₂T_x) is highly preferred for energy storage owing to a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, shortened ion diffusion pathway, superior electronic conductivity, and neglectable volume change, which are beneficial for electrochemical kinetics. However, the low theoretical capacitance and restacking issues of MXene severely limit its practical application in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a facile and controllable method is developed to engineer 2D nanosheets of negatively charged MXene and positively charged layered double hydroxides derived from ZIF‐67 polyhedrons into 3D hollow frameworks via electrostatic self‐assembling. After thermal annealing, transition metal oxides (TMOs)@MXene (CoO/Co₂Mo₃O₈@MXene) hollow frameworks are obtained and used as anode materials for LIBs. CoO/Co₂Mo₃O₈ nanosheets prevent MXene from aggregation and contribute remarkable lithium storage capacity, while MXene nanosheets provide a 3D conductive network and mechanical robustness to facilitate rapid charge transfer at the interface, and accommodate the volume expansion of the internal CoO/Co₂Mo₃O₈. Such hollow frameworks present a high reversible capacity of 947.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1, an impressive rate behavior with 435.8 mAh g^?1 retained at 5 A g^?1, and good stability over 1200 cycles (545 mAh g^?1 at 2 A g^?1).     

Flexible Graphene‐Wrapped Carbon Nanotube/Graphene@MnO2 3D Multilevel Porous Film for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The ingenious design of a freestanding flexible electrode brings the possibility for power sources in emerging wearable electronic devices. Here, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wraps carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and rGO tightly surrounded by MnO₂ nanosheets, forming a 3D multilevel porous conductive structure via vacuum freeze‐drying. The sandwich‐like architecture possesses multiple functions as a flexible anode for lithium‐ion batteries. Micrometer‐sized pores among the continuously waved rGO layers could extraordinarily improve ion diffusion. Nano‐sized pores among the MnO₂ nanosheets and CNT/rGO@MnO₂ particles could provide vast accessible active sites and alleviate volume change. The tight connection between MnO₂ and carbon skeleton could facilitate electron transportation and enhance structural stability. Due to the special structure, the rGO‐wrapped CNT/rGO@MnO₂ porous film as an anode shows a high capacity, excellent rate performance, and superior cycling stability (1344.2 mAh g⁻¹ over 630 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹, 608.5 mAh g⁻¹ over 1000 cycles at 7.5 A g⁻¹). Furthermore, the evolutions of microstructure and chemical valence occurring inside the electrode after cycling are investigated to illuminate the structural superiority for energy storage. The excellent electrochemical performance of this freestanding flexible electrode makes it an attractive candidate for practical application in flexible energy storage.     

A Flexible Film toward High‐Performance Lithium Storage: Designing Nanosheet‐Assembled Hollow Single‐Hole Ni–Co–Mn–O Spheres with Oxygen Vacancy Embedded in 3D Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Network

Ternary transition metal oxides (TMOs) are highly potential electrode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to abundant defects and synergistic effects with various metal elements in a single structure. However, low electronic/ionic conductivity and severe volume change hamper their practical application for lithium storage. Herein, nanosheet‐assembled hollow single‐hole Ni–Co–Mn oxide (NHSNCM) spheres with oxygen vacancies can be obtained through a facile hydrothermal reaction, which makes both ends of each nanosheet exposed to sufficient free space for volume variation, electrolyte for extra active surface area, and dual ion diffusion paths compared with airtight hollow structures. Furthermore, oxygen vacancies could improve ion/electronic transport and ion insertion/extraction process of NHSNCM spheres. Thus, oxygen‐vacancy‐rich NHSNCM spheres embedded into a 3D porous carbon nanotube/graphene network as the anode film ensure efficient electrolyte infiltration into both the exterior and interior of porous and open spheres for a high utilization of the active material, showing an excellent electrochemical performance for LIBs (1595 mAh g^?1 over 300 cycles at 2 A g^?1, 441.6 mAh g^?1 over 4000 cycles at 10 A g^?1). Besides, this straightforward synthetic method opens an efficacious avenue for the construction of various nanosheet‐assembled hollow single‐hole TMO spheres for potential applications.     

Flexible and Binder‐Free Electrodes of Sb/rGO and Na3V2(PO4)3/rGO Nanocomposites for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Flexible power sources have shown great promise in next‐generation bendable, implantable, and wearable electronic systems. Here, flexible and binder‐free electrodes of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/reduced graphene oxide (NVP/rGO) and Sb/rGO nanocomposites for sodium‐ion batteries are reported. The Sb/rGO and NVP/rGO paper electrodes with high flexibility and tailorability can be easily fabricated. Sb and NVP nanoparticles are embedded homogenously in the interconnected framework of rGO nanosheets, which provides structurally stable hosts for Na‐ion intercalation and deintercalation. The NVP/rGO paper‐like cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 113 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1 and high capacity retention of ≈96.6% after 120 cycles. The Sb/rGO paper‐like anode gives a highly reversible capacity of 612 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1, an excellent rate capacity up to 30 C, and a good cycle performance. Moreover, the sodium‐ion full cell of NVP/rGO//Sb/rGO has been fabricated, delivering a highly reversible capacity of ≈400 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 100 mA g^?1 after 100 charge/discharge cycles. This work may provide promising electrode candidates for developing next‐generation energy‐storage devices with high capacity and long cycle life.     

Designed Formation of Hybrid Nanobox Composed of Carbon Sheathed CoSe2 Anchored on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Skeleton as Ultrastable Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Research on sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) has recently been revitalized due to the unique features of much lower costs and comparable energy/power density to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), which holds great potential for grid‐level energy storage systems. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are considered as promising anode candidates for SIBs with high theoretical capacity, while their intrinsic low electrical conductivity and large volume expansion upon Na⁺ intercalation raise the challenging issues of poor cycle stability and inferior rate performance. Herein, the designed formation of hybrid nanoboxes composed of carbon‐protected CoSe₂ nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen‐doped carbon hollow skeletons (denoted as CoSe₂@C∩NC) via a template‐assisted refluxing process followed by conventional selenization treatment is reported, which exhibits tremendously enhanced electrochemical performance when applied as the anode for SIBs. Specifically, it can deliver a high reversible specific capacity of 324 mAh g^?1 at current density of 0.1 A g^?1 after 200 cycles and exhibit outstanding high rate cycling stability at the rate of 5 A g^?1 over 2000 cycles. This work provides a rational strategy for the design of advanced hybrid nanostructures as anode candidates for SIBs, which could push forward the development of high energy and low cost energy storage devices.     

MoS2/Celgard Separator as Efficient Polysulfide Barrier for Long‐Life Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

A high lithium conductive MoS₂/Celgard composite separator is reported as efficient polysulfides barrier in Li–S batteries. Significantly, thanks to the high density of lithium ions on MoS₂ surface, this composite separator shows high lithium conductivity, fast lithium diffusion, and facile lithium transference. When used in Li–S batteries, the separator is proven to be highly efficient for depressing polysulfides shuttle, leading to high and long cycle stability. With 65% of sulfur loading, the device with MoS₂/Celgard separator delivers an initial capacity of 808 mAh g^?1 and a substantial capacity of 401 mAh g^?1 after 600 cycles, corresponding to only 0.083% of capacity decay per cycle that is comparable to the best reported result so far. In addition, the Coulombic efficiency remains more than 99.5% during all 600 cycles, disclosing an efficient ionic sieve preventing polysulfides migration to the anode while having negligible influence on Li⁺ ions transfer across the separator. The strategy demonstrated in this work will open the door toward developing efficient separators with flexible 2D materials beyond graphene for energy‐storage devices.     

Surface‐Engineered Black Niobium Oxide@Graphene Nanosheets for High‐Performance Sodium‐/Potassium‐Ion Full Batteries

Nanoscale surface‐engineering plays an important role in improving the performance of battery electrodes. Nb₂O₅ is one typical model anode material with promising high‐rate lithium storage. However, its modest reaction kinetics and low electrical conductivity obstruct the efficient storage of larger ions of sodium or potassium. In this work, partially surface‐amorphized and defect‐rich black niobium oxide@graphene (black Nb₂O_5?x@rGO) nanosheets are designed to overcome the above Na/K storage problems. The black Nb₂O_5?x@rGO nanosheets electrodes deliver a high‐rate Na and K storage capacity (123 and 73 mAh g^?1, respectively at 3 A g^?1) with long‐term cycling stability. Besides, both Na‐ion and K‐ion full batteries based on black Nb₂O_5?x@rGO nanosheets anodes and vanadate‐based cathodes (Na_0.33V₂O₅ and K_0.5V₂O₅ for Na‐ion and K‐ion full batteries, respectively) demonstrate promising rate and cycling performance. Notably, the K‐ion full battery delivers higher energy and power densities (172 Wh Kg^?1 and 430 W Kg^?1), comparable to those reported in state‐of‐the‐art K‐ion full batteries, accompanying with a capacity retention of ≈81.3% over 270 cycles. This result on Na‐/K‐ion batteries may pave the way to next‐generation post‐lithium batteries.     

Na2Ti6O13 Nanorods with Dominant Large Interlayer Spacing Exposed Facet for High‐Performance Na‐Ion Batteries

As the delegate of tunnel structure sodium titanates, Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ nanorods with dominant large interlayer spacing exposed facet are prepared. The exposed large interlayers provide facile channels for Na⁺ insertion and extraction when this material is used as anode for Na‐ion batteries (NIBs). After an activation process, this NIB anode achieves a high specific capacity (a capacity of 172 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1) and outstanding cycling stability (a capacity of 109 mAh g^?1 after 2800 cycles at 1 A g^?1), showing its promising application on large‐scale energy storage systems. Furthermore, the electrochemical and structural characterization reveals that the expanded interlayer spacings should be in charge of the activation process, including the enhanced kinetics, the lowered apparent activation energy, and the increased capacity.     

Mild‐Temperature Solution‐Assisted Encapsulation of Phosphorus into ZIF‐8 Derived Porous Carbon as Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode

The high theoretical capacity of red phosphorus (RP) makes it a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. However, the large volume change of RP during charging/discharging imposes an adverse effect on the cyclability and the rate performance suffers from its low conductivity. Herein, a facile solution‐based strategy is exploited to incorporate phosphorus into the pores of zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF‐8) derived carbon hosts under a mild temperature. With this method, the blocky RP is etched into the form of polyphosphides anions (PP, mainly P₅^?) so that it can easily diffuse into the pores of porous carbon hosts. Especially, the indelible crystalline surface phosphorus can be effectively avoided, which usually generates in the conventional vapor‐condensation encapsulation method. Moreover, highly‐conductive ZIF‐8 derived carbon hosts with any pore smaller than 3 nm are efficient for loading PP and these pores can alleviate the volume change well. Finally, the composite of phosphorus encapsulated into ZIF‐8 derived porous carbon exhibits a significantly improved electrochemical performance as lithium‐ion battery anode with a high capacity of 786 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g^?1, a good stability within 700 cycles at 1 A g^?1, and an excellent rate performance.     

Surface Coating Constraint Induced Anisotropic Swelling of Silicon in Si–Void@SiO x Nanowire Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Here a simple and an environmentally friendly approach is developed for the fabrication of Si–void@SiO_x nanowires of a high‐capacity Li‐ion anode material. The outer surface of the robust SiO_x backbone and the inside void structure in Si–void@SiO_x nanowires appropriately suppress the volume expansion and lead to anisotropic swelling morphologies of Si nanowires during lithiation/delithiation, which is first demonstrated by the in situ lithiation process. Remarkably, the Si–void@SiO_x nanowire electrode exhibits excellent overall lithium‐storage performance, including high specific capacity, high rate property, and excellent cycling stability. A reversible capacity of 1981 mAh g^?1 is obtained in the fourth cycle, and the capacity is maintained at 2197 mAh g^?1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.5 C. The outstanding overall properties of the Si–void@SiO_x nanowire composite make it a promising anode material of lithium‐ion batteries for the power‐intensive energy storage applications.     

SnS2/Co3S4 Hollow Nanocubes Anchored on S‐Doped Graphene for Ultrafast and Stable Na‐Ion Storage

SnS₂ has been widely studied as an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) based on the high theoretical capacity and layered structure. Unfortunately, rapid capacity decay associated with volume variation during cycling limits practical application. Herein, SnS₂/Co₃S₄ hollow nanocubes anchored on S‐doped graphene are synthesized for the first time via coprecipitation and hydrothermal methods. When applied as the anode for SIBs, the sample delivers a distinguished charge specific capacity of 1141.8 mAh g^?1 and there is no significant capacity decay (0.1 A g^?1 for 50 cycles). When the rate is increased to 0.5 A g^?1, it presents 845.7 mAh g^?1 after cycling 100 times. Furthermore, the composite also exhibits an ultrafast sodium storage capability where 392.9 mAh g^?1 can be obtained at 10 A g^?1 and the charging time is less than 3 min. The outstanding electrochemical properties can be ascribed to the enhancement of conductivity for the addition of S‐doped graphene and the existence of p–n junctions in the SnS₂/Co₃S₄ heterostructure. Moreover, the presence of mesopores between nanosheets can alleviate volume expansion during cycling as well as being beneficial for the migration of Na⁺.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene‐Buffered Mn2O3 Nanocomposite Anodes for Fast Charging and High Discharge Capacity Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Mn₂O₃ is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity and low discharge potential. However, low electronic conductivity and capacity fading limits its practical application. In this work, Mn₂O₃ with 1D nanowire geometry is synthesized in neutral aqueous solutions by a facile and effective hydrothermal strategy for the first time, and then Mn₂O₃ nanoparticle and nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (N‐rGO) are composited with Mn₂O₃ nanowires (Mn₂O₃‐GNCs) to enhance its volume utilization and conductivity. When used as an anode material for LIBs, the Mn₂O₃‐GNCs exhibit high reversible capacity (1350 mAh g^?1), stable cycling stability, and good rate capability. Surprisingly, the Mn₂O₃‐GNC electrodes can also show fast charging capability; even after 200 cycles (charge: 10 A g^?1; discharge: 0.5 A g^?1), its discharge capacity can also keep at ≈500 mAh g^?1. In addition, the Mn₂O₃‐GNCs also have considerable full cell and supercapacitor performance. The excellent electrochemical performances can be ascribed to the N‐rGO network structure and 1D nanowire structure, which can ensure fast ion and electron transportation.     

Yolk–Shell MnO@ZnMn2O4/N–C Nanorods Derived from α‐MnO2/ZIF‐8 as Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

Manganese oxides (MnO_x) are promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries, but they generally exhibit mediocre performances due to intrinsic low ionic conductivity, high polarization, and poor stability. Herein, yolk–shell nanorods comprising of nitrogen‐doped carbon (N–C) coating on manganese monoxide (MnO) coupled with zinc manganate (ZnMn₂O₄) nanoparticles are manufactured via one‐step carbonization of α‐MnO₂/ZIF‐8 precursors. When evaluated as anodes for lithium ion batteries, MnO@ZnMn₂O₄/N–C exhibits an reversible capacity of 803 mAh g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1 after 100 cycles, excellent cyclability with a capacity of 595 mAh g^?1 at 1000 mAg^?1 after 200 cycles, as well as better rate capability compared with those non‐N–C shelled manganese oxides (MnO_x). The outstanding electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique yolk–shell nanorod structure, the coating effect of N–C and nanoscale size.