One-pot formation of SnO2 hollow nanospheres and α-Fe2O3@SnO2 nanorattles with large void space and their lithium storage properties

Abstract

In this work, uniform SnO(2) hollow nanospheres with large void space have been synthesized by a modified facile method. The void space can be easily controlled by varying the reaction time. The formation of interior void space is based on an inside-out Ostwald ripening mechanism. More importantly, this facile one-pot process can be extended to fabricate rattle-type hollow structures using alpha-Fe(2)O(3)@SnO(2) as an example. Furthermore, the electrochemical lithium storage properties have been investigated. It is found that alpha-Fe(2)O(3)@SnO(2) nanorattles manifest a much lower initial irreversible loss and higher reversible capacity compared to SnO(2) hollow spheres. This interesting finding supports a general hypothesis that a synergistic effect between functional core and shell materials can lead to improved lithium storage capabilities.

Controlled Synthesis of Monodisperse Sub‐100 nm Hollow SnO2 Nanospheres: A Template‐ and Surfactant‐Free Solution‐Phase Route, the Growth Mechanism, Optical Properties, and Application as a Photocatalyst

“…As the reaction proceeds, recrystallization of more small crystallites from the interior in the outer shell region leads to an enlarged hollow interior space accompanied by construction of a compact shell (hollowing effect). [23] Subsequently, the large nanoparticles gradually evolve into hollow nanospheres by self-assembly due to a combination of classical Ostwald ripening and a nonclassical particle-based crystallization process with increasing reaction time. Surface energy is a possible driving force for the self-assembly of SnO 2 nanocrystals in the reaction.…”

Recent Progress in Self‐Supported Metal Oxide Nanoarray Electrodes for Advanced Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…At high potential, SnO 2 can also help to buffer the volume change of α‐Fe 2 O 3 . In addition, the transition metal Fe produced during the lithiation reaction of α‐Fe 2 O 3 had a catalytic function to promote the first backward reaction of SnO 2 124, 125…”

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Metallic Sn in NiO/SnO2 Nanocomposite

“…SnO 2 -based composites have been studied before, [10][11][12] but the authors only reported a "synergistic effect" in quite vague terms. No one has ever realized the catalyzed oxidation of the tin metal or provided any direct evidence.…”