Hydrothermal realization of a hierarchical, flowerlike MnWO4@MWCNTs nanocomposite with enhanced reversible Li storage as a new anode material.
A phase-pure MnWO4-based nanocomposite, MnWO4@MWCNTs (MWCNTs=multiwalled carbon nanotubes), was successfully synthesized through a simple hydrothermal reaction at 180 °C by adjusting the pH of the precursor medium. The resulting nanocomposite maintains the original flowerlike morphology of MnWO4 with hierarchical structures composed of numerous single-crystalline nanorods that drive growth preferentially along the [001] direction. The growth mechanism for the flowerlike formations is also discussed. In addition, the Li electroactivity of pure MnWO4 and MnWO4@MWCNTs electrodes was investigated. As an anode for Li-ion batteries, the MnWO4@MWCNTs nanocomposite showed enhanced electrochemical performance in reversible Li storage relative to that shown by bare MnWO4 electrodes, including a high capacity of 425 mAh g(-1) and superior rate performance. This performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the nanocomposite combined with the MWCNTs, which provide efficient electron transport in their role as a conductor.
Department of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University, 206, World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si 443-749 (Republic of Korea), Fax: (+82) 31-219-3248.
Hyun-Woo
HW
Shim
Ah-Hyeon
AH
Lim
Jae-Chan
JC
Kim
Gwang-Hee
GH
Lee
Dong-Wan
DW
Kim
anodes; electrochemistry; hydrothermal synthesis; manganese tungstate; nanocomposites