Ultrafine SnO2 nanoparticles decorated onto graphene for high performance lithium storage

Abstract

Ultrafine SnO₂ nanoparticles of 2–5 nm are controllably synthesized onto the surface of graphene via a simple one-pot hydrothermal approach without the addition of a surfactant. The resulting SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite shows a high level of homogeneous dispersion and high content of nano-sized SnO₂ (85%) loading. Such unique features of the SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite can not only buffer efficiently the volume change of SnO₂ during charge–discharge processes, but also facilitate fast diffusion of lithium ions in SnO₂ and the transport of electrons in graphene when it is used as an anode material for lithium storage. As a result, the ultrafine SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite exhibits a very high reversible capacity of 1037 mA h g⁻¹, excellent capacity retention of 90% over 150 cycles, and good high-rate capability. Combined with the other advantages of easy synthesis, low-cost, environment friendliness and high yield, the SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite could be a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries.