Constructing an interspace in MnO@NC microspheres for superior lithium ion battery anodes.

In this work, silica nanospheres were introduced into nitrogen-carbon (NC) coated MnO microspheres and filled the gap between NC and MnO. After etching, an interspace was formed between the coating layer and the MnO microspheres. The structure not only provides a conductive NC layer, but also constructs a space to mitigate the volume effect of MnO. As expected, the specific capacity remained at 1143.93 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g-1, and 726.96 mA h g-1 after 450 cycles at a high current density of 1 A g-1. The superior performance can be attributed to the unique structure with an internal void space and the excellent protection of MnO microspheres by the surface NC layer.