Triple-coaxial electrospun amorphous carbon nanotubes with hollow graphitic carbon nanospheres for high-performance Li ion batteries

We prepared amorphous carbon nanotubes decorated with hollow graphitic carbon nanospheres (ACNHGCNs) using a novel triple-coaxial electrospinning method and characterized the electro-chemical performance of these ACNHGCNs as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The ACNHGCNs displayed a very high reversible specific capacity of ∼969 mA h g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1, which is nearly 2.6 times the theoretical capacity of graphite (372 mA h g−1). The ACNHGCNs also showed a high volumetric capacity of ∼1.42 A h cm−3 and good cycling stability and outstanding rate capability. The prepared ACNHGCNs can be a promising alternative anode material used for high-energy, low-cost and environmentally friendly lithium ion batteries.