Si/SnSb alloy composite as high capacity anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Microscaled Si/SnSb alloy composite was synthesized from micron Si and oxides of Sn and Sb by carbothermal reaction method. The synthesized Si/SnSb composite electrode exhibits a high specific capacity and a good cycling stability due to its relatively large particle size and multi-phase characteristics. The former reason leads to lower surface impurity and thus the lower initial capacity loss, while the latter results in a stepwise lithiation/delithiation process and a smooth volume change of electrode in cycles. Si/SnSb composite shows an initial inertia against the electrochemical reactions, but it becomes more active quickly in the following cycles. A specific capacity of 1017 mAh g−1 with an initial capacity loss of 120 mAh g−1 was achieved for the synthesized Si/SnSb composite.