Designed hybrid nanostructure with catalytic effect: Beyond the theoretical capacity of SnO2 anode material for lithium ion batteries

Ye Wang, Zhi Xiang Huang, Yumeng Shi, Jen It Wong, Meng Ding, Hui Ying Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

138 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Transition metal cobalt (Co) nanoparticle was designed as catalyst to promote the conversion reaction of Sn to SnO2 during the delithiation process which is deemed as an irreversible reaction. The designed nanocomposite, named as SnO2/Co3O4/reduced-graphene-oxide (rGO), was synthesized by a simple two-step method composed of hydrothermal (1 st step) and solvothermal (2nd step) synthesis processes. Compared to the pristine SnO2/rGO and SnO2/Co3O4 electrodes, SnO2/Co3O4/rGO nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced electrochemical performance as the anode material of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The SnO2/Co3O4/rGO nanocomposites can deliver high specific capacities of 1038 and 712 mAh g-1 at the current densities of 100 and 1000 mA g-1, respectively. In addition, the SnO2/Co3O4/rGO nanocomposites also exhibit 641 mAh g-1 at a high current density of 1000 mA g-1 after 900 cycles, indicating an ultra-long cycling stability under high current density. Through ex-situ TEM analysis, the excellent electrochemical performance was attributed to the catalytic effect of Co nanoparticles to promote the conversion of Sn to SnO2 and the decomposition of Li2O during the delithiation process. Based on the results, herein we propose a new method in employing the catalyst to increase the capacity of alloying-dealloying type anode material to beyond its theoretical value and enhance the electrochemical performance.

Original languageEnglish
Article number9164
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes

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