Scalable synthesis of SnCo/NC composite as a high performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The novel type composites consisting of CoSn and CoSn2 nanoparticles embedded in the nitrogenous carbon skeleton (denoted as SnCo/NC) were synthesized by a facile and scalable method of freeze-drying with assistance of cubic NaCl particles as template. The SnCo alloy nanoparticles can buffer the internal stress caused by the volume expansion of Sn during the process of charge/discharge. Furthermore, due to the synergistic effect with the hierarchical nanostructures of SnCo/NC composite, the composite shows excellent electrochemical performance as anode for lithium-ion batteries. At a current density of 1 A g−1, the SnCo/NC composite still can reach specific capacity of 810 mAh g−1 even after 600 cycles.