Rapid synthesis of tin oxide decorated carbon nanotube nanocomposities as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this study, the tin oxide decorated carbon nanotubes (SnO2-CNTs) nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized using an ultrafast and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. According to X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the SnO2 nanoclusters can directly grow on the surfaces of CNTs with uniform coverage along the longitudinal axis by using glucose as a binding agent. The electrochemical properties of the SnO2-CNTs nanocomposite electrode have been further characterized by galvanostatic discharge/charge cycling tests, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that the SnO2-CNTs nanocomposite electrode exhibited a superior reversible discharge capacity, cycling stability and rate capability as an anode material for Li-ion batteries compared to the pristine SnO2 electrode. Such synergic improvements can be attributed to combining the SnO2 nanoclusters onto the conductive CNTs matrix by taking advantage of the relatively high specific capacity of SnO2 nanoclusters and the excellent cycling capability of the CNTs.