High capacity and good cycling stability of multi-walled carbon nanotube/SnO2 core–shell structures as anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

The multi-walled carbon nanotube/SnO2 core–shell structures were fabricated by a wet chemical route. The electrochemical performance of the core–shell structures as anode materials of lithium-ion batteries was investigated. The initial discharge capacity and reversible capacity are up to 1472.7 and 1020.5 mAh g−1, respectively. Moreover, the reversible capacity still remains above 720 mAh g−1 over 35 cycles, and the capacity fading is only 0.8% per cycle. Such high capacities and good cyclability are attributed to SnO2 network structures, excellent mechanical property and good electrical conductivity of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes.