Pure-phase β-MnVO interconnected nanospheres as a high-performance lithium ion battery anode.

This work primarily exhibits a systematic study of the large-scale hydrothermal synthesis of β-MnVO interconnected nanospheres without templates. An optimal combination of hydrothermal/annealing/atmosphere parameters is identified for the pure phase, which exhibits an excellent cycling performance of 760 mA h g at 0.5 A g over 120 cycles and a rate capability of 470 mA h g at 2 A g as an anode for a lithium ion battery. Guidelines have been provided for the first time for the synthesis of β-MnVO, which opens broad opportunities for this earth-abundant chemical in electrochemical devices.