Preparation of SiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles in the presence of L-tartaric acid by sol-gel method and their electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Recently, SiO2 has attracted increasing attention as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its low cost and high theoretical specific capacity. However, its inherent poor conductivity limits its practical application. To address this issue, nanostructured material design is considered an effective solution. Herein, based on the traditional ammonium tartrate template-directed sol-gel method, we use low-cost and easily available L-tartaric acid in place of D, L-tartaric acid to prepare high-yield silica nanotubes (SNTs) with a thin wall (ca. 50 nm), small diameter (ca. 150 nm), rough surface and open ends, as well as tiny spongy-like silica nanoparticles (SNPs) by adjusting the feeding amount and feeding mode of NH4OH solution. The electrochemical characterization results suggest that the SNTs show better cyclability and rate performance than the SNPs, which maintain a reversible capacity of 741.3 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.4 A g−1 and deliver a high rate capacity of 819.4 mAh g−1 at a high current rate of 2 A g−1. The excellent electrochemical performance suggests that hollow one-dimensional hollow nanotubes are more efficient in improving the electrochemical performance of SiO2 than zero-dimensional nanoparticles, and SNTs with thin tube walls and rough surfaces are demonstrated to be fascinating and promising anode materials for LIBs.