The Emeraldine salt PANI/SnO2 nanocomposite anode materials for sodium-ion batteries with enhanced initial coulombic efficiency

Abstract

Tin oxide is promising candidate as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. High volume change and the low electrical conductivity of SnO2 material during sodiation and de-sodiation affect negatively the electrochemical performance of sodium-ion batteries. Instead of their traditional carbon composites, the Emeraldine salt PANI/SnO2 nanocomposite to alleviate the high volume change (pulverization) and improve conductivity of SnO2 material is synthesized with an emulsion polymerization method by in situ polymerization of aniline on the SnO2 surface. The the Emeraldine salt PANI not only exhibits high flexibility to alleviate the high volume change of SnO2 nanoparticles, but also enhances the conductivity of electrons and sodium ions. Furthermore, the Emeraldine salt PANI coating enhanced the coulombic efficiency of SnO2 electrode. Therefore, Emeraldine salt Polyaniline coating is a promising buffer material for relieving a high volume change and enhancing coulombic efficiency, especially in the first cycle, and anode durability with the high electrochemical performance for sodium-ion batteries.