Hierarchical porous reduced graphene oxide/SnO2 networks as highly stable anodes for lithium-ion batteries

• Hierarchical porous rGO/SnO2 composite was designed using a silica template assisted nanocasting process approach.
• The resultant porous rGO/SnO2 composite suggests porous 3D networks architecture with porous SnO2 dispersed uniformly on the rGO scaffold.
• The resultant porous rGO/SnO2 anode delivers substantially enhanced cyclability and rate capacity over pure SnO2.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been explored as competitive electrochemical power sources for various energy applications due to their high energy density. To meet to the development of high-performance electrode materials for LIBs, tin oxide (SnO2) anodes demonstrate promising prospects for their high theoretical capacities. In this paper, novel hierarchical porous reduced graphene oxide/SnO2 (rGO/SnO2) networks that consist of porous SnO2 anchored on graphene scaffold are constructed by a silica template assisted nanocasting process. The as-synthesized porous rGO/SnO2 networks of improved electrical conductivity can facilitate the electron transport and also provide sufficient active sites for redox reactions, along with accommodating the large volume changes during cycling process. As an anode material for LIBs, such porous rGO/SnO2 composite exhibits substantially enhanced cycling stability and rate capacity. In addition, the anode suggests highly stable cycling performance with the discharge capacities of 595 mAh g−1 (after 300 cycles) and 394 mAh g−1 (after 800 cycles) at 600 mA g−1 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. The strategy indicates a promising way to fabricate advanced anode materials for LIBs.

Herein, hierarchical porous rGO/SnO2 composite was designed using a silica template assisted nanocasting process approach, where silica as the template for anchoring SnO2 nanoparticles in the porous rGO/SnO2 framework. The resultant porous rGO/SnO2 anode delivers substantially enhanced cyclability and rate capacity over pure SnO2, which promises great potential in the scalable fabrication of advanced anode materials with improved lithium storage for LIBs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide