Design of polydopamine-encapsulation multiporous MnO cross-linked with polyacrylic acid binder for superior lithium ion battery anode

Abstract Investigating independent active materials is inadequate to settle the technological challenges involved in the booming lithium ion battery industry. The further development of energy-storage properties with both high energy density and superior cycling lifespan are highly dependent on the overall system optimization, which highlights the study of the interface between different components in a system. Herein, a system-level strategy of engineering MnO-based anode build on the plentiful electrolytic manganese dioxide are developed via a microwave-assisted carbothermic reduction, combined with a succeeding in-situ aggregation of polydopamine (PD) onto MnO along with chemical binding with polyacrylic acid (PAA) binder. Fourier transform IR spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra validate the formation of cross-linking reaction between the PD buffer and PAA binder. Benefited from the prominent structure stability which endowed by well-connected three-dimensional porous structure, as well as two steady interfaces between MnO and PD buffer and between PD buffer and PAA binder, the cross-linked MnO anode exhibit a reversible capacity of 687 mAh g −1 at 300 mA g −1 and high Coulombic efficiency of 99% over 500 cycles and impressive rate capability of 320 mAh g −1 at 3000 mA g −1 .