Electrospun SnO2–ZnO nanofibers with improved electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

•The SnO2–ZnO nanofibers are prepared via a simple electrospinning technology.•The composites show the uniform fiber like structure constituting of nanoparticles.•The SnO2–ZnO nanofibers show the enhanced properties than pure SnO2.•The influence of ZnO on the electrochemical performances has been discussed.

The novel SnO2–ZnO nanofibers were successfully synthesized via a simple electrospinning technique. The influences of different amount of ZnO on the electrochemical properties have been discussed. Compared with SnO2 nanofibers, the SnO2–ZnO nanocomposites show the improved lithium storage capacity, cycling performance and rate properties. The beneficial effects can be attributed to the addition of ZnO nanoparticles, which can effectively buffer the volume exchange of SnO2 and create synergistic effects between them. Thus, as-prepared SnO2–ZnO nanofibers may hold great promise for the development of high-performance lithium ion batteries, and this work can be enlightening for material design and optimization.