Enhanced electrochemical performance of hierarchical CoFe2O4/MnO2/C nanotubes as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Hierarchical CoFe2O4/MnO2/C nanotubes were prepared by electrospinning and a subsequent hydrothermal method. Their electrochemical properties were investigated for use as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The CoFe2O4/MnO2/C composite displayed a stable cycling performance with a reversible capacity of 713.6 mA h g(-1) after 250 discharge-charge cycles at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), much higher than that of CoFe2O4/C nanofibers, which displayed a capacity of 200 mA h g(-1) after 90 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the stable hierarchical structure of the nanocomposite, the existence of carbon, the high active surface area, and the high theoretical capacity of MnO2. Given their enhanced electrochemical performance, the CoFe2O4/MnO2/C heterostructure composite can be considered as a promising anode for lithium-ion batteries.