A modified carbothermal reduction method for preparation of high-performance nano-scale core/shell Cu 6Sn 5 alloy anodes in Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Core–shell structured, carbon-coated, nano-scale Cu 6Sn 5 has been prepared by a modified carbothermal reduction method using polymer coated mixed oxides of CuO and SnO 2 as precursors. On heat treatment, the mixture oxides were converted into Cu 6Sn 5 alloy by carbothermal reduction. Simultaneously, the remnants carbon was coated on the surface of the Cu 6Sn 5 particles to form a core–shell structure. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images demonstrate that the well-coated carbon layer effectively prevents the encapsulated, low melting point alloy from out flowing in a high-temperature treatment process. Core–shell structured, carbon coated Cu 6Sn 5 delivers a reversible capacity of 420 mAh g −1 with capacity retention of 80% after 50 cycles. The improvement in the cycling ability can be attributed to the fact that the carbon-shell prevents aggregation and pulverization of nano-sized tin-based alloy particles during charge/discharge cycling.