In situ synthesis of open hollow tubular MnO/C with high performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries using kapok fiber as carbon matrix.

MnO/C materials with a long lifetime and high rate performance via a biomass template strategy for the lithium ion battery (LIB) market are indispensable. Therefore, novel and efficient ways for their synthesis are urgently required to greatly alleviate the pressure of consuming nonrenewable resources. Herein, we fabricate an open hollow tubular MnO/C hybrid based on the transformation of a natural kapok fiber by hydrothermal and thermal treatment. The as-prepared hybrid material was obtained with high synthesis efficiency and exhibited an extremely stable structure attributed to the in situ growth strategy, overcoming volumetric expansion and self-aggregation of MnO. As an anode material for LIBs, this typical MnO/C electrode demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 1917 mAh · g at 300 mA · g and an excellent rate performance of 693.1 mAh · g at 5000 mA · g. More importantly, this biomass carbon-based material demonstrates a superior cycling stability of 1433.1 mAh · g at a high current density of 5000 mA · g after 1000 cycles. The significant electrical performance of this new type of green material is promising for the development of LIBs.