LAUSR

Abstract Mesoporous spinel ZnMn2O4 (ZMO) microspheres as potential anode materials for sodium-ion batteries are prepared using the polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted solvothermal technique. A one-step heat treatment process with heating varying from 1 to 5 °C min−1 is used to reveal the crystal phase purity and tuning of porosity of the as-prepared materials. The ZnMn2O4 synthesized by heating rate of 1 °C min−1 exhibits the highest specific surface area (47.016 m2 g−1) and pore size (23.342 nm). The slow heating rate sample exhibited better capacity and rate capability compared with the sample with the fast heating rate. The electrochemical reaction mechanism is epitomized by ex-situ X-ray powder diffraction/X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses that revealed the conversion mechanism of the ZnMn2O4 electrode during charge and discharge processes. The results indicate that PVP-assisted approach provide porous microspheres of ZnMn2O4 demonstrates enhanced electrochemical performance due to a larger surface area and porosity to facilitate faster Na+ diffusion kinetics.