Stabilising a Mn3O4 nanosheet on graphene via forming a 2D-2D nanostructure for improvement of lithium storage

2D-2D nanostructured Mn3O4 nanosheet (Mn3O4-NS)/graphene sheet (GNS) composites are synthesized by a simple liquid-phase route, in which mica-like Mn3O4 and GNS are assembled into a robust structure via face contacting. The sheet-on-sheet coupled with high stability between Mn3O4-NS and GNS significantly promotes the interfacial electron and lithium ion transport, as well as accommodates volume change. It is believed that the mechanical stability and electrical conductivity of Mn3O4-NS are increased by GNS, the aggregation or restacking of which to GNS, on the other hand, is effectively prevented by Mn3O4-NS. When used as a negative electrode for lithium ion batteries, the hybrid composites deliver a higher specific capacity, enhanced rate capability and excellent cyclic stability than that of independent Mn3O4-NS and GNS.