Mesoporous MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Co, and Ni) for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries: Synthesis and electrochemical properties

The MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Co, and Ni) mesoporous spheres with an average diameter of 250 nm were synthesized through a template-free hydrothermal method. The mesoporous MnFe2O4 with a large surface area of 87.5 m2/g and an average pore size of 27.52 nm were obtained. As the anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the mesoporous MnFe2O4 exhibits excellent initial charge and discharge capacities of 1010 and 642.5 mA h/g. After 50 cycles, the discharge capacity could still remain at 379 mA h/g. The results showed that the active phase and the synergy between different metal oxides greatly improved the electrochemical performance, and the mesoporous composite could stabilize the structure of the electrodes.