Synthesis of nanosized cadmium oxide (CdO) as a novel high capacity anode material for Lithium-ion batteries: influence of carbon nanotubes decoration and binder choice

• The nanosized CdO and CdO/CNTs nanocomposites were prepared by a facile solution route.
• The CdO could be used as a novel high capacity anode with both alloying and conversion reactions.
• Both the CNTs incorporation and binder choice can improve the cycle ability of CdO by buffering the volume changes and maintaining the integrity of the electrodes. The binder effect is more crucial.
• The CdO/CNTs nanocomposites with water-soluble binder could deliver a capacity of 810 mAh g−1 even after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 and a capacity of 720 mAh g−1 even at the rate of 1500 mA g−1.

Fine CdO nanoparticles and CdO/Carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites are synthesized via a facile solution method for the first time and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements. As a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the nanosized CdO can delivers an initial capacity as high as 805mAh g−1. However, the capacity retention of pure CdO is poor. By incorporating CNTs and water soluble sodium alginate binder, the CdO could deliver a reversible capacity of 810 mAh g−1 up to 100 cycles and a capacity of 720 mAh g−1 even at the rate of 1500 mA g−1. To better understand the mechanism of the improvements, ex-situ SEM and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements are performed. Our findings would shed new light on optimizing the electrochemical performances of other electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and the anodes of Ni-Cd batteries.