Highly dispersed ultra-small nano Sn-SnSb nanoparticles anchored on N-doped graphene sheets as high performance anode for sodium ion batteries

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 512; p. 145686
• Main Authors: Yue, Lu, Jayapal, Maleraju, Cheng, Xinli, Zhang, Tingting, Chen, Junfeng, Ma, Xiaoyan, Dai, Xin, Lu, Haiqin, Guan, Rongfeng, Zhang, WenHui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.05.2020
• Subjects: Electrochemical performance; High dispersion; N-doped graphene; Sn-SnSb alloy composite; Sodium ion battery anode; Electrochemical performance; Sn-SnSb alloy composite; Sodium ion battery anode; High dispersion; N-doped graphene
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.145686

The novel Sn/SnSb nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed on a N-doped graphene sheets were prepared and excellent electrochemical performance were achieved. [Display omitted] •A highly dispersed 3–6 nm diameter Sn-SnSb alloy composite anchored on nitrogen-doped graphene sheets.•The electrode could maintain high rate and ultra-stable cycle performance over 1000 cycles toward sodium storage.•The specical 3D composite structure with highly dispersion properties provides the rapid Na+ diffusion and electronic transfer channels. High theoretical capacity and low discharge platforms of Sn and Sb-based materials are an auspicious anode material for sodium ion batteries. Although, their large volume change before and after sodium insertion during cycling leads to unstable electrode structure and poor cycle performance. In view of the above, a thermo chemical strategy by a simple one-pot for producing 3–6 nm diameter homogeneously dispersed Sn/SnSb nanoparticles on a nitrogen-doped graphene sheet with a large-scale and low-cost feature for high performance sodium ion battery is reported. Highly dispersed nano Sn-SnSb alloy/graphene composite electrode not only had good stress adaptability and good integrity protection to prevent agglomeration and polarization during cycling, and also provided the rapid Na+ diffusion and electronic transfer channels, thus showing high rate and ultra-stable cycle performance. The as-prepared electrode could maintain the super stable reversible capacities of 251.8, 146.2 and 60.2 mAh g−1 at 1, 4 and 10 A g−1 over 1000 cycles, respectively.