SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite as a high capacity anode material for sodium-ion batteries

We report the synthesis and characterization of SnO2@multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite as a high capacity anode material for sodium-ion battery. SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite was synthesized by a solvothermal method. SEM and TEM analyses show the uniform distribution of SnO2 nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes. When applied as anode materials in Na-ion batteries, SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite exhibited a high sodium storage capacity of 839 mAh g− 1 in the first cycle. SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite also demonstrated much better cycling performance than that of bare SnO2 nanoparticles and bare MWCNTs. Furthermore, the nanocomposite electrode also showed a good cyclability and an enhanced Coulombic efficiency on cycling.

► SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite was used as anode material in sodium ion battery for this first time.
► SnO2@MWCNTs feature three-dimensional architecture with uniform distribution of SnO2 nanocrystals.
► SnO2@MWCNT nanocomposite demonstrated high capacity and a good cycling performance for sodium-ion storage.