A New Concept for Obtaining SnO2 Fiber‐in‐Tube Nanostructures with Superior Electrochemical Properties |
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| Authors: | Young Jun Hong Ji‐Wook Yoon Prof Jong‐Heun Lee Prof Yun Chan Kang |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam‐dong, Seongbuk‐gu, Seoul 136‐713 (Republic of Korea) |
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| Abstract: | Tin oxide (SnO2) nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure have been prepared by electrospinning and the mechanism of their formation has been investigated. Tin oxide‐carbon composite nanofibers with a filled structure were formed as an intermediate product, which were then transformed into SnO2 nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure during heat treatment at 500 °C. Nanofibers with a diameter of 85 nm were found to be located inside hollow nanotubes with an outer diameter of 260 nm. The prepared SnO2 nanotubes had well‐developed mesopores. The discharge capacities of the SnO2 nanotubes at the 2nd and 300th cycles at a current density of 1 A g?1 were measured as 720 and 640 mA h g?1, respectively, and the corresponding capacity retention measured from the 2nd cycle was 88 %. The discharge capacities of the SnO2 nanotubes at incrementally increased current densities of 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 5 A g?1 were 774, 711, 652, and 591 mA h g?1, respectively. The SnO2 nanotubes with a fiber‐in‐tube structure showed superior cycling and rate performances compared to those of SnO2 nanopowder. The unique structure of the SnO2 nanotubes with a fiber@void@tube configuration improves their electrochemical properties by reducing the diffusion length of the lithium ions, and also imparts greater stability during electrochemical cycling. |
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| Keywords: | anode materials cyclic voltammetry electrospinning lithium‐ion batteries nanotubes tin oxide |
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