Hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4 derived from cotton substance as high-performance lithium ion battery anode

Hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4 has been prepared by an initial cotton template and subsequent calcination route. The as-prepared hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4 composed of numerous nanoparticles well inherit the fibre-like structure of cotton, and these nanoparticles have a size of ∼20–50 nm. The N2 adsorption–desorption test indicates this ZnMn2O4 has a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of ∼16.7084 m2 g−1 and average pore size of ∼27.0 nm. As lithium ion battery anodes, the ZnMn2O4 can deliver a discharge capacity of 674.9 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at current density of 200 mA g−1. Even at 1000 mA g−1, this ZnMn2O4 still shows a stable discharge capacity of 541.5 mAh g−1. These promising electrochemical performances may be attributed to its unique hierarchical porous structure which helps to accelerate the ions transportation and elevate the structure stability.