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A New Concept for Obtaining SnO 2 Fiber‐in‐Tube Nanostructures with Superior Electrochemical Properties
Author(s) -
Hong Young Jun,
Yoon JiWook,
Lee JongHeun,
Kang Yun Chan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201405146
Subject(s) - materials science , electrospinning , electrochemistry , nanofiber , carbon nanotube , tin , chemical engineering , fiber , tin oxide , nanotube , nanotechnology , mesoporous material , composite number , current density , oxide , nanostructure , composite material , electrode , chemistry , metallurgy , polymer , catalysis , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Tin oxide (SnO 2 ) nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure have been prepared by electrospinning and the mechanism of their formation has been investigated. Tin oxide‐carbon composite nanofibers with a filled structure were formed as an intermediate product, which were then transformed into SnO 2 nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure during heat treatment at 500 °C. Nanofibers with a diameter of 85 nm were found to be located inside hollow nanotubes with an outer diameter of 260 nm. The prepared SnO 2 nanotubes had well‐developed mesopores. The discharge capacities of the SnO 2 nanotubes at the 2nd and 300th cycles at a current density of 1 A g −1 were measured as 720 and 640 mA h g −1 , respectively, and the corresponding capacity retention measured from the 2nd cycle was 88 %. The discharge capacities of the SnO 2 nanotubes at incrementally increased current densities of 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 5 A g −1 were 774, 711, 652, and 591 mA h g −1 , respectively. The SnO 2 nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure showed superior cycling and rate performances compared to those of SnO 2 nanopowder. The unique structure of the SnO 2 nanotubes with a fiber@void@tube configuration improves their electrochemical properties by reducing the diffusion length of the lithium ions, and also imparts greater stability during electrochemical cycling.