Tin nanoparticle/3D framework carbon composite derived from sodium citrate as the stable anode of lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Sn-based anode materials have gained more attention for application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), due to tin having the characteristics of high specific capacity, low cost, and environmentally friendly. However, low capacity retention due to the large volume changes upon lithiation/delithiation limits their further development. In this paper, tin nanoparticle/3D framework carbon composite (denoted as Sn@SC) is obtained by calcining the composite of trisodium citrate and stannous sulfide. The Sn@SC composite delivers a stable cycling capacity of 410.9 mAh/g after 150 cycles and 300.1 mAh/g after 950 cycles at 1 A/g. The excellent electrochemical performance can be assigned to the fact that the hollow porous carbon can provide enough space for the volume change of tin nanoparticles in the step-by-step alloying process and shorten the electron transport path, thus increasing the structural stability and rate capability.