Sn/SnO_x-loaded uniform-sized hollow carbon spheres on graphene nanosheets as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>To meet the increasing demands for large-scalable application required high capacity and energy density, Sn-based materials as a promising anode for lithium-ion batteries have been widely studied. In this work, a carbon nanostructure of uniform-sized hollow carbon spheres on a graphene nanosheet was prepared by a facile synthesis process. The obtained nanostructure has numerous uniform-sized hollow carbon spheres with a diameter of ∼20 nm attached on graphene nanosheets, and mass production is considerably easy. Then, Sn/SnO<SUB>x</SUB> was loaded into the carbon nanostructure by a typical melt diffusion process, and its electrode delivers the high rate capability of 290.0 mA g<SUP>−1</SUP> at 3.0 A g<SUP>−1</SUP> and the good cyclability of 284.1 mA h g<SUP>−1</SUP> after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g<SUP>−1</SUP>. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique carbon nanostructure, which mitigates the volume expansion of Sn by the physical barrier of uniform-sized hollow carbon spheres and enables Li-ions or electrons to easily move by the improving electrical conductivity during discharge/charge process. Thus, the Sn loaded nanocomposite is expected to be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A strategy is established for the synthesis of hollow carbon spheres on graphene nanosheets. </LI> <LI> The hollow carbon spheres were used as Sn/SnO<SUB>x</SUB> hosts for lithium ion battery. </LI> <LI> The carbon nanostructure could mitigate the volume expansion of Sn during the cycling. </LI> <LI> The electrode delivers an excellent reversible capacity even after 1000 cycles. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Sn/SnO<SUB>x</SUB>-loaded uniform-sized hollow carbon spheres on graphene nanosheets is fabricated from a facile solventless method and delivers good cycle ability for lithium-ion batteries.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>