Structural and electrochemical properties of SnO2/nanocarbon families as lithium-ion battery anodes

Hybrid SnO₂/nanocarbon families (graphene nanosheets (GNSs), single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanospheres (CNSs)) have been synthesized by a similar wet chemical method. SnO₂ nanoparticles are uniformly loaded on the surface of the nanocarbon families. As lithium battery anodes, their electrochemical properties of the reaction of lithium are investigated under the same conditions. To compare between them, SnO₂/GNSs have the largest capacity; SnO₂/GNSs and SnO₂/SWCNTs have high cyclability; and SnO₂/MWCNTs can maintain the capacity at high current density. Such behaviors are ascribed to their surface-to-volume ratio, structure flexibility, ion mobility and electron conductivity. The present results are the bases for their practical applications in lithium-ion battery anodes.