Highly efficient formation of Mn3O4-graphene oxide hybrid aerogels for use as the cathode material of high performance lithium ion batteries

A combined hydrothermal treatment and freeze-drying method to fabricate Mn304-graphene oxide (GO) hybrid aerogels for use as the cathode material of lithium ion batteries is reported. Results indicate that the Mn304-GO hybrids show much better lithium storage capacity and rate capability than Mn304/reduced GO powder obtained by calcination of the hydrothermally treated sample dried at 300 degrees C for 30 min under an argon atmosphere. The stronger interaction between GO and Mn304 compared with that between reduced GO and Mn304 is beneficial for the improvement of utilization rate of Mn304 and therefore the capacity. Also the higher porosity of the Mn304-GO hybrids than that of the Mn304/ reduced GO allows faster ion diffusion and therefore a higher rate capability. A typical Mn304/GO hybrid with a Mn304 content of 70 wt.% exhibits the highest specific capacity and excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention rate of 85%. The method is promising for the large-scale, environmentally friendly production of MnOx-GO hybrids for lithium ion batteries.