Microcrystalline SnSb Alloy Powder as Lithium Storage Material for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Spherical SnSb alloy powders with an average particle size of about 10 μm were prepared from Sn and Sb oxides by carbothermal reduction. The synthesized SnSb alloy shows low initial capacity loss (ca. 150 mAh/g) and high reversible capacity (around 800 mAh/g). The capacity fade of the SnSb alloy during the charge/discharge process comes mainly from the Sb component rather than Sn component. Microsized SnSb alloy exhibits a much better cycling performance when cycled at 40°C than that at ambient temperature (ca. 30°C), while it tends to be worse when cycled at 55 °C. The rate capability of SnSb alloy was also investigated.