A robust strategy for stabilizing SnO2: TiO2-supported and carbon-immobilized TiO2/SnO2/C composite towards improved lithium storage

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 259; pp. 815 - 821
• Main Authors: Tian, Qinghua, Li, Lingxiangyu, Yang, Li, Chen, Jizhang, Hirano, Shin-ichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Anode materials; Composites; Lithium-ion batteries; Synergistic effect; Tin dioxide; Lithium-ion batteries; Composites; Tin dioxide; Synergistic effect; Anode materials
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.10.144

With a much higher theoretical capacity than that of graphite anodes, SnO2 has attained great attention as a potential anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. However, it's practical application yet be impeded by such disadvantages of poor conductivity and terrible structure stability during repeated discharge/charge process. Herein, a unique TiO2/SnO2/C hybrid (TiO2 SS@SnO2@C) consist of one-dimensional TiO2 nanobelts, zero-dimensional SnO2 nanoparticles and conformal carbon coating has been fabricated based on a strategy of synergistic effect of components with different dimensional nanostructures, which can provide improved electrochemical kinetic and outstanding structure stability for the TiO2 SS@SnO2@C. As a result, the TiO2 SS@SnO2@C is able to exhibit outstanding lithium storage performance as an anode material, delivering capacities of 904.9 and 492.4 mAhh g−1 after even 400 cycles at 200 and even 1000 mA g−1, respectively. It is demonstrated that the synergistic effect of these components is responsible for thus outstanding electrochemical performance. •A robust strategy for stabilizing SnO2 structure was proposed.•A novel hetero-nanostructure of TiO2/SnO2/C composite was smartly fabricated.•The synergistic effect of components was demonstrated.•The as-fabricated TiO2/SnO2/C exhibited outstanding lithium storage and cycling performance.