SnTe–TiC–C composites as high-performance anodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Intermetallic SnTe composites dispersed in a conductive TiC/C hybrid matrix are synthesized by high-energy ball milling (HEBM). The electrochemical performances of the composites as potential anodes for Li-ion batteries are evaluated. The structural and morphological characteristics of the SnTe–TiC–C composites with various TiC contents are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, which reveal that SnTe and TiC are uniformly dispersed in a carbon matrix. The electrochemical performance is significantly improved by introducing TiC to the SnTe–C composite; higher TiC contents result in better performances. Among the prepared composites, the SnTe–TiC (30%)–C and SnTe–TiC (40%)–C electrodes exhibit the best electrochemical performance, showing the reversible capacities of, respectively, 652 mAh cm−3 and 588 mAh cm−3 after 400 cycles and high rate capabilities with the capacity retentions of 75.4% for SnTe–TiC (30%)–C and 82.2% for SnTe–TiC (40%)–C at 10 A g−1. Furthermore, the Li storage reaction mechanisms of Te or Sn in the SnTe–TiC–C electrodes are confirmed by ex situ XRD.