Flower-like SnO2 nanoparticles grown on graphene as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Tin oxide (SnO₂)/graphene composite was synthesized from SnCl₂?·?2H₂O and graphene oxide (GO) by a wet chemical-hydrothermal route. The GO was reduced to graphene nanosheet (GNS) and flower-like SnO₂ nano-crystals with size about 40 nm were homogeneously distributed on the surface of GNS. The SnO₂/graphene composites delivered a superior first discharge capacity of 1941.9 mAhg^?1 with a reversible capacity of 901.7 mAhg^?1 at the current density of 100 mAg^?1. Moreover, even at higher densities of 200 and 500 mAg^?1, the SnO₂/graphene composite still maintained enhanced cycling stability. After 40 cycles, the discharge capacity was still maintained at 691.1 mAhg^?1 at the current density of 100 mAg^?1. The SnO₂/graphene composite displayed an outstanding Li-battery performance with large reversible capacity and enhanced rate performance, which can be attributed to the highly uniform distribution of SnO₂ nanoparticles and high reduction degree of graphene. This result strongly indicates that the SnO₂/graphene composite was a promising anode material in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.