Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-SnOx (x=0,1,2) nanocomposite as high performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 818; p. 152889
• Main Authors: Wu, Yi-Zhu, Brahma, Sanjaya, Weng, Shao-Chieh, Chang, Chia-Chin, Huang, Jow-Lay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 25.03.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anodes; Chemical reduction; Diffusion coefficient; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Graphene; High temperature; Ion diffusion; Ion transport; Lithium-ion batteries; Lithium-ion battery; Metal oxides; Nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Organic chemistry; Rechargeable batteries; Reduced graphene oxide; Reducing agents; Room temperature; SnO2; Tin dioxide; Lithium-ion battery; SnO2; Nanocomposite; Reduced graphene oxide
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.152889

Although, metal oxide-graphene nanocomposites and their applications in Li ion battery is a subject of intense investigation over the years, the synthesis of the composite that often needs high temperature processing along with expensive equipment are the major issues to overcome. We demonstrate a facile, low cost and room temperature synthesis of SnOX (x = 0,1,2) - reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite where concurrent formation of SnO2, reduction of SnO2 to SnOx nanoparticles and graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide takes place in one pot in-situ chemical reduction process. Concentration of the reducing agent (NaBH4, 0 mol–0.06 mol) is varied to examine the effect on the formation of the nanocomposite as well as their electrochemical performance. The RGO-SnOx nanocomposite prepared by using 0.04 mol of reducing agent reveal better Li storage performance, stable capacitance (833 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles, 767 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, current rate = 100 mA g−1), and good rate capability (481 mAh g−1 at ∼1 A g−1). The lithium ion diffusion coefficient of RGO-SnOx (0.04 mol) nanocomposite is estimated as 2.4 × 10−10 m2s−1 that is one/two order higher than other RGO-SnOx nanocomposites which promotes the Li ion transport in the composite. The synthesis procedure has a strong potential to be one of the universal method for the preparation of a variety of composites by the suitable variant in the synthesis protocol. •Synthesis of SnOx/rGO (x = 0,1,2) nanocomposite at room temperature.•Room temperature chemical reduction procedure is used for the synthesis of the composite.•Enhanced capacity of 767 mAh g−1 @ 100 mA g−1 is achieved after 100 cycles.•The composite delivered significant rate capability (481 mAh g−1 at ∼1 A g−1).•Comprehensive investigation has been carried out.