A nanocomposite of SnO2 and single-walled carbon nanohorns as a long life and high capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A novel composite of SnO₂ and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) has been synthesized via a simple wet chemical method. SnO₂ nanoparticles (2–3 nm) were homogeneously distributed on the surface of spherical SWCNHs, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, this SnO₂/SWCNHs composite shows superior electrochemical performance with high capacity, excellent cyclic stability and good rate performance, owing to the intimate interaction between the SWCNH matrix and nanosized SnO₂. It delivered a high capacity of 530 mAh g⁻¹ even after 180 cycles under a current density of 500 mA g⁻¹, which is better than most SnO₂ composites.