Development of Cellulose Nanofiber—SnO2 Supported Nanocomposite as Substrate Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The large volumetric expansion of conversion-type anode materials (CTAMs) based on transition-metal oxides is still a big challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). An obtained nanocomposite was established by tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles embedding in cellulose nanofiber (SnO2-CNFi), and was developed in our research to take advantage of the tin oxide’s high theoretical specific capacity and the cellulose nanofiber support structure to restrain the volume expansion of transition-metal oxides. The nanocomposite utilized as electrodes in lithium-ion batteries not only inhibited volume growth but also contributed to enhancing electrode electrochemical performance, resulting in the good capacity maintainability of the LIBs electrode during the cycling process. The SnO2-CNFi nanocomposite electrode delivered a specific discharge capacity of 619 mAh g−1 after 200 working cycles at the current rate of 100 mA g−1. Moreover, the coulombic efficiency remained above 99% after 200 cycles showing the good stability of the electrode, and promising potential for commercial activity of nanocomposites electrode.