Self-Templating Synthesis of SnO₂–Carbon Hybrid Hollow Spheres for Superior Reversible Lithium Ion Storage

Abstract

This paper reports a novel self-templating methodology for the formation of SnO(2)-carbon hybrid hollow spheres by using Sn spheres as sacrificing templates. The time-sequenced structural evolution of the templates indicates that the nanoscale Kirkendall effect plays a critical role in the transformation from Sn spheres to the hybrid hollow spheres. Moreover, the as-synthesized SnO(2)-carbon hybrid hollow spheres have been applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, which exhibit a much higher initial Coulombic efficiency and better cycling performance than pure SnO(2) hollow spheres.

Hollow Tin Dioxide Microspheres With Multilayered Nanocrystalline Shells for Pseudocapacitor

“…In step (b), SnO 2 -carbon polymer composites conversed to hollow SnO 2 spheres by calcination in air. Similar to the previous reports by Alivisatos et al [42], there has been nanoscale Kirkendall effect for the formation of hollow nanoparticles and nanotubes [41,51,52]. Sn 4+ species in the composite microspheres are oxidized to SnO 2 nanoparticles with higher crystallinity, whereas RF polymer molecules in Sn 4+ -polymer spherical composites are oxidized to carbon dioxide and removed continuously.…”

“…These include localized Ostwald ripening [40], differential diffusion (nanoscale kirkendall effect) [41,42], postsynthesis encapsulation method [43,44], template-assisted synthesis technique [27,45,46], and sacrificial carbon core generated by hydrothermal treatment of aqueous solutions of glucose and polysaccharides [39,47]. Each of these approaches has shown very promising activity for SnO 2 hollow and core-shell nanostructures [48,49].…”

Sub-100nm hollow SnO2@C nanoparticles as anode material for lithium ion batteries and significantly enhanced cycle performances

“…Third is the synthesis of core-shell heterostructure materials to elevate the stability of core materials. For instance, combining SnO 2 with other materials such as carbon and graphene to form SnO 2 /C heterostructures [18]. For example, Lou et al have prepared hollow SnO 2 nanostructures (500 nm) with 500 mAh g À1 cycle capacity over 40 cycles at 0.2 C current density [19].…”

“…Carbon decoration for anode and cathode materials has been proven to improve the electronic conductivity of electrodes [21,22]. Indeed, composite nanomaterials have been used as electrode materials in LIBs due to enhanced electrical conductivity and reduced internal stress, which both improve the total electrical performance of LIBs [18,[23][24][25][26][27][28]. Therefore, it is better to combine the small SnO 2 NPs with other materials to protect the inner SnO 2 NPs.…”

SnO2 Nanorods on ZnO Nanofibers: A New Class of Hierarchical Nanostructures Enabled by Electrospinning as Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Many potential electrode materials such as Co 3 O 4 , [6,7] Fe 3 O 4 , [8-9] Fe 2 O 3 , [10][11] NiO [12,13] and SnO 2 [14][15][16] have been investigated as promising candidates for the anode materials in the next-generation LIBs. However, the practical applications of these materials are greatly hindered by slow Li-ion diffusion, poor electron trans-port in electrodes, and increased resistance at the interface of electrode/electrolyte at high charge-discharge rates [17].…”