Carbon-coated SnO2/graphene nanosheets as highly reversible anode materials for lithium ion batteries

A simple approach is reported to prepare carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticle–graphene nanosheets (Gr–SnO2–C) as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The material exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with high capacity and good cycling stability (757 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 200 mA g−1). The likely contributing factors to the outstanding charge/discharge performance of Gr–SnO2–C could be related to the synergism between the excellent conductivity and large area of graphene, the nanosized particles of SnO2, and the effects of the coating layer of carbon, which could alleviate the effects of volume changes, keep the structure stable, and increase the conductivity. This work suggests a strategy to prepare carbon-coated graphene–metal oxide which could be used to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries.