Ternary Sn-Sb-Co alloy particles embedded in reduced graphene oxide as lithium ion battery anodes

Ternary Sn-Sb-Co alloy particles embedded in reduced graphene oxide were fabricated via co-precipitation, followed by the special process of liquid nitrogen quenching and the subsequent thermal treatments (denoted as Sn-Sb-Co/rGO). When the Sn-Sb-Co/rGO hybrids were applied as anodes for rechargeable lithium ion battery, the electrodes deliver a reversible capacity of 937 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 70 cycles, and reveal impressive discharge capacity of 754 mA h g−1 and 685 mA h g−1 at the current density of 500 mA g−1 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. The well-improved electrochemical performance of the Sn-Sb-Co/rGO can be attributed to the conducting network of graphene, which greatly improves the conductivity of the electrode with volume buffering effect to prevent Sn-Sb-Co particles from aggregating.