SnO₂/graphene composite as a high stability electrode for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 133 - 139
• Main Authors: Wang, Xuyang, Zhou, Xufeng, Yao, Ke, Zhang, Jiangang, Liu, Zhaoping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: batteries; chemical reduction; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; crystal structure; electrical charges; Electrochemistry; electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; General and physical chemistry; graphene; ions; lithium; Materials science; nanoparticles; oxidation; oxides; particle size; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Physics; solutions; Specific materials; tin; Electrodes; Nanoparticles; Composite materials; Stability; Synthesis; Redox reactions; Tin oxide; Electrochemistry; Binary compounds; Lithium ions; Retention; Current density
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2010.08.052

A simple solution-based synthesis route, based on an oxidation–reduction reaction between graphene oxide and SnCl₂•2H₂O, has been developed to produce a SnO₂/graphene composite. In the prepared composite, crystalline SnO₂ nanoparticles with sizes of 3–5nm uniformly clung to the graphene matrix. When used as an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, the composite presented excellent rate performance and high cyclic stability. The effect of SnO₂/graphene ratio on electrochemical performance has been investigated. It was found that the optimum molar ratio of SnO₂/graphene was about 3.2:1, corresponding to 2.4 wt.% of graphene. The composite could deliver a charge capacity of 840mAh/g (with capacity retention of 86%) after 30 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 67mA/g, and it could retain a charge capacity of about 590 and 270mAh/g after 50 cycles at the current density of 400 and 1000mA/g, respectively.