Uniform Pomegranate-Like Nanoclusters Organized by Ultrafine Transition Metal Oxide@Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Subunits with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

Uniform pomegranate-like nanoclusters (NCs) organized by ultrafine transition metal oxide@nitrogen-doped carbon (TMO@N–C) subunits (diameter ≈ 4 nm) are prepared on a large scale for the first time through a facile, novel, and one-pot approach. Taking pomegranate-like Fe3O4@N–C NCs as an example, this unique structure provides short Li+/electron diffusion pathways for electrochemical reactions, structural stability during cycling, and high electrical conductivity, leading to superior electrochemical performance. The resulting pomegranate-like Fe3O4@N–C NCs possess a high specific capacity (1204.3 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 over 100 cycles), a stable cycle life (1063.0 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1, 98.4% retention after 1000 cycles), and excellent rate capacities (606.0 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1, 92.0% retention; 417.1 mA h g−1 at 20 A g−1, 91.7% retention after 1000 cycles).