Controllable synthesis of yolk-shell-structured metal oxides with seven to ten components for finding materials with superior lithium storage properties.

A new concept for discovering multicomponent nanostructured materials with good electrochemical properties is proposed. Yolk-shell-structured transition metal oxide powders with seven to ten components and simple crystal structures are prepared by continuous spray pyrolysis. The multicomponent yolk-shell powders with complex compositions show excellent Li(+) storage properties for lithium ion batteries.