Mesoporous SnO2 synthesized with non-ionic surfactants as an anode material for lithium batteries

• Published in: Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology Vol. 4; no. 1-2; p. 125
• Main Authors: Subramanian, V, Jiang, J C, Smith, Patricia H, Rambabu, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Crystallization - methods; Electric Conductivity; Electric Power Supplies; Electrochemistry - instrumentation; Electrochemistry - methods; Electrodes; Ions; Lithium - chemistry; Materials Testing; Nanotechnology - instrumentation; Nanotechnology - methods; Porosity; Surface Properties; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Tin Compounds - chemistry
• ISSN: 1533-4880
• DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2004.045

Mesoporous tin oxides were successfully prepared with the use of non-ionic surfactants, Pluronic 123 (P-123) and Tetronic 908 (T-908). Surface analysis of SnO2 synthesized with P123 showed an average pore size of approximately 15 nm. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements also confirmed their mesoporous nature. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and wide-angle XRD studies revealed that these compounds have a casserite-type SnO2 structure. The electrochemical properties of these materials as anodes in lithium batteries showed excellent performance with good reversibility. The first-cycle reversible capacity was 1026 mAh/g for the material synthesized with P123. There was a high first-cycle irreversible capacity for SnO2 synthesized with the use of both non-ionic surfactants. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to study the electrode kinetics during the lithium insertion process in the first cycle. There was a decrease in the charge-transfer resistance with respect to the discharge potential. The synthesis and structural and electrochemical properties of the mesoporous tin oxides are correlated and discussed in detail.