Effects of bi-dopants Ni and Fe on tin antimonide alloy anodes: physico and electrochemical studies

Abstract

Abstract The high theoretical capacity of tin antimony (SnSb) alloys in lithium storage has gained a great deal of attention with respect to its application inbattery anodes. , The unstable structure of this alloy in terms of cycling is a huge limitation for this material; however, this can be effectively exterminated by doping with intermetallics. This work reports the improved electrochemical charcteristics of tin antimonide nanoparticles when nickel and iron are incorporated into the matrix. The as-prepared pristine and the Ni and Fe doped SnSb nanoparticles are analyzed in terms of their physiochemical properties via x-ray diffraction (with Rietveld refinement), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The absence of any metal oxides in the SnSb: Fe, Ni system is confirmed by the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The prepared alloy is subjected as an anode to cyclic voltammetry analysis for both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes, and their performance is satisfactory, exhibiting reversibility and improved specific capacity. Furthermore, the SnSb: Ni, Fe matrix exhibits a high electrical conductivity of 9.27 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature, indicating improved anodic properties.