Three-dimensional Sn–graphene anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Tin (Sn) has been considered as one of the most promising anode materials for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high energy density, abundance, and environmentally benign nature. However, the problems of fast capacity fading at prolonged cycling and poor rate capacity hinder its practical use. Herein, we report the development of a novel architecture of Sn nanoparticle-decorated three-dimensional (3D) foothill-like graphene as an anode in LIBs. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the 3D Sn-graphene anode delivered a reversible capacity of 466 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 879 mA g(-1) (1 C) after over 4000 cycles and 794 mA h g(-1) at 293 mA g(-1) (1/3 C) after 400 cycles. The capacity at 1/3 C is over 200% that of conventional graphite anodes, suggesting that the 3D Sn-graphene structure enables a significant improvement in the overall performance of a LIB in aspects of capacity, cycle life, and rate capacity.

Do the bridging oxygen bonds between active Sn nanodots and graphene improve the Li-storage properties?

“…As shown in Table 1, the Sn-O-G displays almost the highest reversible capacity and longest cycle life (2000 cycles), although there was a report that three-dimensional Sngraphene can work 4000 cycles but specific capacity was too low (466 mAh/g) even at a low current density of 0.879 A/g. [47] Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was also implemented to study the Li-storage mechanism for the Sn-O-G and Sn/G electrodes. Figure 4a Figure S7).…”

Metallic Sn‐Based Anode Materials: Application in High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion and Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…People have varied the carbon precursors to produce the carbon matrix, including micromolecular organics,22, 26, 49, 50, 52, 56 polymer,6, 53, 57, 58, 59 saccharides,48, 51, 60, 61, 62 resins,55, 63, 64 graphene,65, 66, 67 etc. Derrien et al49 reported a synthesis of nano‐Sn (with a small amount of SnO 2 ) embedded in a carbon matrix.…”

Vertically Aligned Graphene Nanosheet Arrays: Synthesis, Properties and Applications in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

“…It could be expected that an additional coating of carbon layer on the Si/ VAGNA electrodes, e.g., by CVD, may improve their initial Coulombic efficiency and cycling stability. Other high-capacity materials such as Sn [113] and Ge [114] thin films were also deposited on VAGNAs. The Sn/VAGNA anodes delivered a reversible capacity of 466 mA h g −1 at a current density of 879 mA g −1 after over 4000 cycles (Figure 8c), and 794 mA h g −1 at 293 mA g −1 after 400 cycles.…”

“…The Sn/VAGNA anodes delivered a reversible capacity of 466 mA h g −1 at a current density of 879 mA g −1 after over 4000 cycles (Figure 8c), and 794 mA h g −1 at 293 mA g −1 after 400 cycles. [113] Instead of physical evaporation of Sn nanoparticles, Sn@CNTs structure was in situ formed on VAGNAs through reduction of SnO 2 nanoparticles under microwave plasma irradiation. [115] The VAGNAs-CNTs hierarchical structure was suggested to enable more efficient electron and Li-ion transport, and lead to even higher capacitance, and better rate capability and cycling stability as compared with Sn/VAGNAs.…”