Performance of SnO 2 /carbon nanotube composite electrode materials synthesised by the Pechini method

Abstract

SnO 2 /CNT (CNT: carbon nanotube) composite electrode materials have been successfully synthesised using the Pechini method. The crystal structures of SnO 2 /CNTs were identified by X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology and internal structure, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, indicated that SnO 2 nanoparticles were embedded in the CNT matrix or dispersed homogeneously on the outer walls of the CNTs. Furthermore, the charge-discharge properties of SnO 2 /CNT composite electrode materials showed that the reversible discharge capacities of the SnO 2 /CNT composite electrode materials were enhanced to 1062 mAh/g compared with that of pure SnO 2 nanoparticles, and the capacity retention remained at approximately 91% after the 12th cycle, improving the lifetime of the lithium batteries greatly.