Sol–gel derived nano-crystalline CaSnO3 as high capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries

CaSnO₃ with the distorted-perovskite structure was prepared by sol–gel and high temperature solid-state reaction and electrochemical properties were studied in cell with Li as counter electrode. The sol–gel method gave uniform nano-crystallites (200–300 nm) of CaSnO₃ and was shown to deliver a reversible capacity of 380 mAh/g (0.005–1.0 V; 60 mA/g) with good cycling stability up to 45 cycles. The observed capacity involved in the first-discharge and the reversible capacity values during subsequent charge–discharge cycles show that the electrochemical process in CaSnO₃ is similar to other Sn-containing mixed oxide systems, viz., an initial structural reduction with Sn-metal formation followed by reversible Li–Sn alloy formation. The performance with respect to the attainable capacity, its retention on charge–discharge cycling and rate capability is better than the previously reported best-performing bulk Sn-oxide or ATCO starting materials which reveals that the perovskite structure and Ca-ion play a beneficial role.