Three-dimensional tin dioxide/carbon composite constructed by hollow nanospheres with quasi-sandwich structures as improved anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• The three-dimensional SnO2/C composite was prepared by a facile route.
• This architecture endowed the composite superior physical and chemical properties.
• This composite exhibited improved cycling performance and high rate capability.

Tin dioxide (SnO2)-based materials have been considered to be promisingly alternative advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and thus attracted wide attention. So far, the research focus of SnO2-based anode materials is to search and develop effective strategies for overcoming the obstacles, such as rapid capacity fading and poor rate capability, which seriously impede the practical application of SnO2-based electrodes. Herein, we have successfully combined nanoscale SnO2 with 3-dimensional carbon (C) conductivity framework to form a 3-dimensional unparalleled SnO2/C composite constructed by closely interconnected hollow nanospheres with quasi-sandwich structures. When evaluated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared SnO2/C composite exhibits improved cycling performance and high rate capability, delivering a high capacity of 576.6 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 even after 500 cycles, and a capacity of 411.7 mAh g−1 even at 5 A g−1 during rate test. The unparalleled 3-dimensional architecture should be responsible for the good electrochemical performance.