Uniform hierarchical MoO2/carbon spheres with high cycling performance for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Uniform hierarchical MoO₂/C spheres have been prepared through calcination of a MoO₃/resin precursor generated via a simple hydrothermal method in the presence of resorcinol, formaldehyde and (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O. The carbon spheres formed in situ by the carbonization of resorcinol–formaldehyde resin in a N₂ atmosphere reduce MoO₃ into MoO₂ nanoparticles. The MoO₂/C spheres have been characterized by XRD, SEM, HR-TEM and TGA. Used as an anode material, these spheres exhibit not only good rate capability but also high cycling performance. These hierarchical MoO₂/C spheres are a promising anode material for high performance lithium ion batteries.