Multi‐shelled Hollow Nanospheres of SnO2/Sn@TiO2@C Composite as High‐performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

AbstractTo overcome two main drawbacks of SnO2 as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, low conductivity and poor cycling stability, SnO2/Sn@TiO2@C composite is prepared via one‐pot hydrothermal reaction to synthesize SnO2/C precursor‐assembled hollow nanospheres and then coated with TiO2 and resorcinol‐formaldehyde resin. After calcination, multi‐shelled hollow nanospheres of SnO2/Sn@TiO2@C are formed. When used as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, the as‐prepared composite exhibits high discharge capacity of 1565 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1. After 300 cycles at 1 A g−1, the discharge capacity still reaches 961 mAh g−1 with capacity fading rate of just 0.11 % per cycle. The average discharge capacity reaches 395 mAh g−1 even at 5 A g−1. The superior lithium storage performance mainly benefits from the unique multi‐shelled hollow nanosphere structure. The coating TiO2 and amorphous carbon increase structural and cycling stabilities of SnO2/Sn hollow nanospheres. The outermost carbon shell further enhances electronic conductivity of the composite. The hollow nanosphere structure also endows SnO2/Sn nanoparticles with high electrochemical activity. This work proposes a feasible synthesis and structure design strategy for the development of advanced SnO2‐based composite materials.