Lithium insertion into the composites of acid-oxidized carbon nanotubes and tin oxide

Abstract

Lithium intercalation into the composites of acid-oxidized carbon nanotubes and tin oxide was studied in an electrolyte system, 1 M solution of LiPF 6 dissolved in a 50:50 mixture by volume of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The electrochemical method that is constant current charge–discharge test was used for electrochemical properties of the acid-oxidized carbon nanotubes and tin oxide. The nanocomposites show higher specific capacities than the acid-oxidized carbon nanotubes and better cyclability than SnO 2, and the improvement is believed to be due to the improved maintainability of high dispersion of SnO 2 in the carbon nanotubes. The second cycle de-lithiation capacity of 255 mAh/g from the nanocomposites was nevertheless reduced to 250 mAh/g after 50 deep charge and discharge cycles, and the nanocomposites of acid-oxidized carbon nanotubes and SnO 2 may be considered as a candidate anode material for Li-ion batteries.