Easy synthesis of MnO-graphene hybrids for high-performance lithium storage

Graphene oxide was produced using a modified Hummers method and used to produce a MnSO4-graphene oxide (MnSO4-GO) hybrid which was then transformed into a MnO-graphene hybrid by precipitation with NaOH followed by hydrogen reduction. The MnO-graphene hybrid shows a high specifc capacity of 870 mAh·g−1 at 100 mA·g−1 as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, which is much higher than that of bare MnO (around 456 mAh·g−1). A capacity of 390 mAh·g−1 could be maintained even at a high current density of 1 600 mA·g−1. This green and highly efficient approach offers a new technique for the synthesis of MnOx-graphene battery materials.