Core–shell SnO2@TiO2–B nanowires as the anode of lithium ion battery with high capacity and rate capability

Abstract

Core–shell SnO2@TiO2–B nanowires are synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal route. SnO2 nanoparticles are uniformly coated on the whole surface of TiO2–B nanowires. As the anode of lithium ion batteries, core–shell SnO2@TiO2–B nanowires exhibit high lithium storage capacity and superior rate capability. The reversible capacity is ~1160mAhg−1 at C/5 rate (5h per charging cycle) and the retention is 790mAhg−1 after 30 cycles. At the rate of 2C, the capacity can be maintained at 556mAhg−1. Such a good lithium storage performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect between SnO2 and TiO2–B nanostructures.