Defect engineering on the defluorinated MWCNTs@SnO2@N-doped carbon composite for enhanced lithium storage performance

Abstract

When tin oxide (SnO 2 ) is used in the anode of lithium-ion batteries, its capacity decreases dramatically due to poor conductivity and volume effects during the electrochemical cycle. Although composites with traditional carbon-based materials can improve this shortcoming, the low capacitance of such materials still limits the capacity of the composites. Therefore, we applied defect engineering to SnO 2 /C composite electrodes for the first time, and prepared D-MWCNTs@SnO 2 @N–C composite electrodes with hollow rod structures. Defects were constructed in the carbon materials to promote electron diffusion and ion storage active sites. The hollow structure can adapt to the volume change that occurs during Li-ion insertion/desorption. In addition, the detachment of F atoms and the insertion of N atoms, which are chemical processes that occur on the surface of carbon materials, promote an increase in surface porosity and defect density, thereby providing additional lithium storage sites. The double carbon effect caused by defect engineering provides a multidimensional transport path and rapid migration rate for Li-ions, which enables the electrode to display excellent electrochemical performance; thus, this work could lead to the preparation of next-generation anode materials with high energy storage capacity, high rate capability and high cycle stability.