Three-dimensional Sn rich Cu6Sn5 negative electrodes for Li ion batteries

• Sn rich SnCu composite electrode were produced by pulse electrodeposition under different peak current densities.
• The effect of morphology studied on electrochemical properties of composite electrodes.
• A high reversible capacity, and good cyclability were achieved for Sn rich SnCu electrode obtained 40 mA/cm2 peak current density.

Three-dimensional Sn rich Cu6Sn5 electrodes were fabricated by the pulse electrodeposition process on a porous nickel foam substrate to improve discharge capacity and cycleability of the SnCu alloy negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries. It was aimed to investigate the effect of peak current density on the structure and electrochemical performance of the Sn rich Cu6Sn5 electrodes. The morphology and the structures of the SnCu alloy electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses was also performed to investigate the structure of electrodeposited SnCu based electrodes. The electrochemical features of the electrodes were investigated by charge/discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry experiments and the ac impedance technique. Results showed that morphology of the electrodes exhibited a strong effect on the electrochemical performances and the best electrochemical performances were achieved in the alloy electrodes, which has dendritic like structure obtained using high peak current density.