Stannic oxide spherical nanoparticles: an anode material with long-term cyclability for Li-ion rechargeable batteries

Abstract

Transition metal oxides are widely used in energy storage applications. Stannic oxide nanostructures are prepared using a controlled, NaOH assisted, simple precipitation method. The morphology of the prepared material confirms the formation of fine nanoparticles having a rutile stannic oxide (SnO2) phase, with cassiterite structure, and size distribution ~20 nm. On testing, as an anode material for a Li-ion battery, stannic oxide delivers a reversible charge capacity of 957 mAh g−1 at an applied current rate of C/10. The stannic oxide shows excellent rate performance displaying capacity of 577 mAh g−1 at 10 C and capacity of 919 mAh g−1 retained after 200 cycles at an applied current rate of C/2. The super performance of stannic oxide fine particles stem from both the effective diffusion of Li-ions to reaction sites through porous channels and weaker stress/strain during Li insertion/desertion owing to its fine size.