Premium
Ultrafine SnO 2 Nanocrystals Self‐Anchored in Carbon for Stable Lithium Storage
Author(s) -
Fu Shuting,
Wu Qili,
He Shiman,
Tong Shengfu,
Yang Xianfeng,
Meng Yuying,
Wu Mingmei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201800631
Subject(s) - materials science , anode , lithium (medication) , pseudocapacitance , carbon fibers , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , nanocrystal , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , electrode , lithium ion battery , battery (electricity) , composite number , composite material , supercapacitor , chemistry , medicine , engineering , endocrinology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
Sn‐based materials can be potentially used as anode in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), though challenges still exist. Herein, SnO 2 /C composites with ultrafine SnO 2 nanocrystals uniformly anchored to the carbon matrix are simply synthesized via a one‐pot solvothermal method. In this structure, the nano‐sized SnO 2 can offer abundant electroactive sites and effectively shorten the lithium‐ion diffusion length. The interfacial structure between SnO 2 and the carbon matrix restricts the particle within a specific space, allowing elastic buffering and alleviating the agglomeration and pulverization. Therefore, the capacity decay due to volume variation upon cycling can be refrained remarkably. Moreover, the unique interfaces facilitate electron transfer, as well as additional lithium storage (i. e., pseudocapacitance). Benefiting from these unique architectural merits, our optimized SnO 2 /C composite exhibits high specific capacity (600 mAh g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 ) and superior rate capability (185 mAh g −1 at 11.7 A g −1 ) when applied to LIBs anodes. Even without an additional conductive agent, the electrode can maintain its extremely stable performance. The strategy proposed here proves the feasibility to enhance electrochemical properties, utilizing the synergetic effect between SnO 2 nanocrystals and the carbon base. Thus, the optimized SnO 2 /C is a promising candidate for applications as anode material in LIBs.