Template synthesis of SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanotube array for 3D lithium ion battery anode with large areal capacity

Abstract

Electrodes with three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure are expected to improve the energy and power densities per footprint area of lithium ion microbatteries. Herein, we report a large-scale synthesis of a SnO(2)/α-Fe(2)O(3) composite nanotube array on a stainless steel substrate via a ZnO nanowire array as an in situ sacrificial template without using any strong acid or alkali. Importantly, both SnO(2) and α-Fe(2)O(3) contribute to the lithium storage, and the hybridization of SnO(2) and α-Fe(2)O(3) into an integrated nanotube structure provides them with an elegant synergistic effect when participating in electrochemical reactions. Large areal capacities and good rate capability are demonstrated for such a composite nanotube array. Particularly noteworthy is that the areal capacities (e.g. 1.289 mAh cm(-2) at a current rate of 0.1 mA cm(-2)) are much larger than those of many previous thin-film/3D microbattery electrodes. Our work suggests the possibility of further improving the areal capacity/energy density of 3D microelectrodes by designing ordered hybrid nanostructure arrays.

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

“…For instance, heterostructured SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanotube arrays on stainless steel substrate was prepared by using ZnO nanowire arrays as an in situ sacrificial template 123. The final composite nanotube arrays exhibited a high areal capacity of 1.289 mAh cm –2 at a current rate of 0.1 mA cm –2 , which were much larger than those of many previous thin‐film/3D microbattery electrodes.…”

Tailoring Iron Oxide Nanostructures for High-Capacity Lithium Storage

“…[36] This synthetic strategy could be extended to the preparation of α-Fe2O3-SnO2 nanotube array on stainless steel substrate. [38] The obtained nanotube arrays could function as additive-free LIB anode materials. Using Cu nanowires as the sacrificial templates, Lou et al prepared α-Fe2O3 nanotubes with diameters of 50-200 ( Figure 1d).…”

Calcination Temperature Effects on the Architecture, Morphology and Discharge Properties of SnO2 Electrode Materials Ge Performances of a Lini0.8Co0.2O2 Electrode Material

“…Zhou et al [5] fabricated a SnO 2 @N-RGO hybrid material that exhibits high specific area and high rate capability. Zeng et al [6] synthesized SnO 2 /α-Fe 2 O 3 composite nanotube arrays using a stainless-steel substrate. The result shows a large capacitance and good reusability.…”

“…Much effort has been devoted to doping modification and composite modification in order to produce an excellent energy storage system [4][5][6][7][8][9][10], where doped metal ions affect the electrochemical properties and surface modification affects the discharge capacity. For example, Ponrouch et al [4] reported a facile synthetic route to obtain SnO 2 -carbon composites.…”