MnO anchored reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for high energy applications of Li-ion batteries: The insight of charge-discharge process

Abstract In the present work, a new class of anode material for high energy applications of Li-ion battery is prepared by easy and large-scale producible process. Herein, the nanocomposite of MnO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is prepared by anchoring MnO nanoparticles into 3D matrix of rGO hydrogel followed by annealing process. The composite which has homogeneous distribution of MnO particles on conducting rGO layers demonstrated superior electrochemical performance such as high reversible capacity, stable cycle life and better rate capability. It has shown initial discharge capacity of 2358 mAh g−1 and retained 570 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles as compared to pristine MnO which shown initial discharge capacity of 820 mAh g−1 and retained only 45 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. The retained capacity of new MnO/rGO anode is much higher than the theoretical capacity of conventional graphite anode. Moreover, the MnO/rGO nanocomposite shows six times higher Li+ ion diffusion of 4.18 × 10−12 cm2 s−1 as compared to 6.84 × 10−13 cm2 s−1 of MnO. In addition, the study provides insight of charge-discharge process, which conducted in initial, discharge and charge states of pristine MnO and MnO/rGO composite using ex-situ X-ray diffraction and X-ray photon spectroscopy techniques.