SiOx/CNTs/Sn composite as high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Despite its high theoretical specific capacity, direct application of SiO[Formula: see text] is challenging particularly in terms of alleviating volume effect and improving electronic conductivity to enhance the battery performance. SiO[Formula: see text]/CNTs/Sn composite with high cyclability and rate performance was proposed by a modified Stöber liquid phase method, CNTs and metallic tin were employed during the subsequent mechanical ball milling process to investigate their effects on the resulting physicochemical property and electrochemical performance. The structure of /CNTs/Sn composite was designed, and the multi-structure not only alleviates the volume effect of SiO[Formula: see text] to a certain extent but also provides additional diffusion pathways for lithium ions, electrons, and flexible substrate. From electrochemical characterization, the half-cell battery integrating SiO[Formula: see text]/CNTs/Sn anode exhibits a capacity of 880.83 mAh g[Formula: see text] with 6.3% capacity fading after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g[Formula: see text] and excellent rate performance. The simple and ingenious synthesis method could provide new development and application ideas for SiO[Formula: see text]-based anode materials.