Abstract
Urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite have been successfully prepared by thermal annealing of ZnSn(OH)6 precursor in acetylene/argon gas (1/9; v/v). The phase of the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectrum. The images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) demonstrate that the Sn–ZnO–C composite with an average of 3 μm in diameter is composed of many core–shell nanowires and carbon nanotubes emanated from the center. The thermal annealing temperature and time have crucial effects on the formation of urchin-like structure and carbon content of the Sn–ZnO–C composites. As an anode for lithium-ion batteries, the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite delivers a discharge capacity of 1,034.5 mAh/g in initial cycle and 571.9 mAh/g reversible discharge capacity after 25 cycles at a current density of 50 mA/g. The superior energy storage properties highlight the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite as a potential alternative anode material in lithium-ion batteries.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91022033 and 21201158), the National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB935901), Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (1208085QE101), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (WK 2340000027).
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Fan, L., Zhang, J., Zhu, Y. et al. Synthesis of urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite and its enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries. Chin. Sci. Bull. 59, 2006–2011 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0278-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0278-6