Ternary Sn–Sb–Co alloy film as new negative electrode for lithium-ion cells

Abstract

Ternary Sn–Sb–Co alloy film was successfully prepared by the co-electroplating method using an aqueous solution bath containing SnCl 2·2H 2O, CoCl 2, SbCl 3, Na 2C 4H 4O 6·2H 2O, K 3C 6H 5O 7·H 2O, and gelatine. The alloy composition was found to be mainly controllable by the amount of Na 2C 4H 4O 6·2H 2O and SbCl 3 in the plating bath. The Sn–Sb–Co film electrode with a composition of 75.4% Sn, 6.5% Sb, and 18.1% Co gave an initial discharge capacity of 380 mAh g −1. The capacity gradually increased from the 1st to the 10th cycle and was then stabilized at a larger value of 580 mAh g −1. Furthermore, the electrode was found to give better cycle performance compared to binary Sn–Co and Sn–Sb alloys.