Hierarchical Mn1.5Co1.5O4 microspheres constructed from one-dimensional nanorods as high-performance anode material for lithium-ion battery

Mn1.5Co1.5O4 hierarchical microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method and an annealing procedure. Mn1.5Co1.5O4 exhibits advanced cycling performance, and it retains a reversible capacity of 633 mA h g−1 at a current density of 400 mA g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99.0% after 220 cycles. Its remarkable performance is attributed to the hierarchical structure assembled with nanorods, which increases the contact area between each nanorod and electrolyte. More significantly, the open space between neighboring nanorods and the pores on the surface of nanorods can improve Li+ ion diffusion rate. Furthermore, the nanorods have rapid one-dimensional Li+ diffusion channels, which not only possess a large specific surface area for high activity but accommodate the volume change during lithiation–delithiation processes. Therefore, Mn1.5Co1.5O4 hierarchical microspheres can act as a promising alternative anode material for lithium-ion battery.