Silica Aerogels Modified SnSb/CNTs as High Cycling Performance Anode Materials for Lithium Batteries

Abstract

ABSTRACTA silica aerogel/SnSb/CNTs composite was successfully synthesized from silica aerogel (SA) modification of SnSb/CNTs by a simple sol-gel process and chemical reduction method. Microstructure, morphology and electrochemical properties of these materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and constant current charge/discharge tests, respectively. The results showed that the aggregation of the nanoparticles was greatly reduced by the modification of silica aerogel to SnSb/ CNTs composites. The SA/SnSb/CNTs nanocomposites revealed a high reversible capacity of 448 mAh.g–1 and stable cyclic retention at 50th cycle. The improvement of reversible capacity and cyclic performance of the SA/SnSb/CNTs composites is mainly attributed to the unique structure of SA/SnSb/CNTs, and this structure fully realizes the complementary advantages of three kinds of materials. Modification of SnSb/CNTs by the addition of silica aerogel is a potential method to prepare anode material for lithium rechargeable cells.