MnNCN@C nanocomposite as an anode for Li-ion battery

Abstract

In order to find other anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, manganese carbodiimide with N-doped C coating (MnNCN@C) has been reported. Initially a gel of precursors was prepared and then calcined for 1.5 h at 700 degrees C in the atmosphere of N2. The MnNCN phase was identified by X-ray diffraction, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and electron diffraction. Further, carbon phase was established by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The doping of N in carbon phase was confirmed from XPS study. Distribution of pore size as well as specific surface area of MnNCN@C composites were investigated from the BET technique, and their values were 9.19 x 103cm2/g and 7.512 nm, respectively. The cell with this material as anode could be cycled for 100 times. After 100 cycles, the capacity turns out to be around 200 mAh/g. However, the cell was capable to deliver suitable capacity at even higher currents.