Self-template synthesis of peapod-like MnO@N-doped hollow carbon nanotubes as an advanced anode for lithium-ion batteries

The exploration of low-cost and high-performance transition metal oxides/carbon(TMOs/C)-based anodes to replace commercial graphite is still a huge challenge for the development of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).In this work,MnO@N-doped hollow carbon nanotubes(MnO@NHCNT-v,v refers to the adding volume of pyrrole)hybrids are successfully prepared by a facile selftemplate strategy using Mn3O4 nanotubes(Mn3O4 NT)and pyrrole(PY)as the precursors.The morphology,structure and composition of these MnO@NHCNT-v samples are systematically investigated.And the effect of PY adding amounts on the synthesis of MnO@NHCNT-v samples is also explored.The results show that the Mn_(3)O_(4) NT works as a self-template,which releases Mn3+and guides the growth of polypyrrole(PPY)on Mn_(3)O_(4) NT.Meanwhile,it is demonstrated that the synthesis of MnO@NHCNTv hybrids can be well regulated by the added PY amounts.As a result,MnO@NHCNT-1 hybrid not only makes a good balance on the proportion of MnO and carbon matrix but also simultaneously obtains unique peapod-like structure and successful N doping in NHCNT,resulting in good electrical contact between the two components,enhanced chemical binding by Mn-N-C bonds and enough void space inside its microstructure.Benefitting from these merits,the resulting MnO@NHCNT-1 hybrid exhibits outstanding cycling stability and rate capability when used as a LIBs anode.Our work offers a good guidance on the design and preparation of low-price and high-performance TMOs/C-based LIBs anodes.

Effect of Ultrasonication on the Properties of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes/Hollow Glass Microspheres/Epoxy Syntactic Foam

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs） reinforced hollow glass microspheres（HGMs）/epoxy syntactic foam was fabricated. The effects of ultrasonication on the density, compression strength, and water absorption properties were studied. Better dispersed MWCNTs can be obtained after ultrasonication treatment, but an increasing viscosity will lead to a larger amount of voids during syntactic foam preparation especially when the content of HGMs is more than 70 vol%. The existing voids will decrease the density of epoxy syntactic foam. However, the ultrasonication does not change the compression strength much. Ultrasonication treatment will decrease the water absorption content due to the better dispersion and hydrophobic properties of MWCNTs. But a significant increase of water absorption content occurs when HGMs is more than 70 vol%, which is attributed to the higher viscosity and larger amount of voids.