Coral-Like Metal Oxide/C Hybrid Microspheres comprising a Porous Yolk and a Hollow Thin-Shell for Anodes in Li Ion Batteries

Nowadays, innovative anodes are in demand owing to the requirement for improvement in the performance of Li ion batteries (LIBs). Although yolk–shell structured transitional metal oxides (TMOs) with various compositions have been studied as anodes for LIBs thus far, their long-term cycle properties are unsatisfactory in practical implementation. In order to solve this problem, hybrids of TMOs and C could be a effective strategy, but with the traditional synthetic process for the yolk–shell structure, it is difficult to prepare the yolk-shell structured TMO/C hybrid. In this study, we introduce a novel synthetic strategy for the yolk-shell structured TMO/C hybrids. The yolk shows a coral-like structure with interconnected mesopores. The synergetic effects of the coral-like yolk-shell structure with well-defined interconnected mesopores and a highly conductive C content result in advanced anodes with excellent Li⁺ ion storage properties. The detailed formation mechanism of the structure and its electrochemical properties as anodes for LIBs were investigated, in detail.