A novel one-step strategy toward ZnMn2O4/N-doped graphene nanosheets with robust chemical interaction for superior lithium storage.

Ingenious hybrid electrode design, especially realized with a facile strategy, is appealing yet challenging for electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel ZnMn2O4/N-doped graphene (ZMO/NG) nanohybrid with sandwiched structure via a facile one-step approach, in which ultrafine ZMO nanoparticles with diameters of 10-12 nm are well dispersed on both surfaces of N-doped graphene (NG) nanosheets. Note that one-step synthetic strategies are rarely reported for ZMO-based nanostructures. Systematical control experiments reveal that the formation of well-dispersed ZMO nanoparticles is not solely ascribed to the restriction effect of the functional groups on graphene oxide (GO), but also to the presence of ammonia. Benefitting from the synergistic effects and robust chemical interaction between ZMO nanoparticles and N-doped graphene nanosheets, the ZMO/NG hybrids deliver a reversible capacity up to 747 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g(-1). Even at a high current density of 3200 mA g(-1), an unrivaled capacity of 500 mAh g(-1) can still be retained, corroborating the good rate capability.