N-doped onion-like carbon coated Sn nanocapsules as advanced anode for lithium-ion batteries

•N-doped onion-like carbon coated Sn nanocapsules have been prepared.•Sn@(OLC,N) nanocapsules obtain a discharge capacity of 902.8 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 0.1 A g−1.•Sn@(OLC,N) nanocapsules bear superior rate capacity at 20 A g−1.

This work reports the one-pot synthesis of N-doped onion-like carbon coated Sn nanocapsules by the arc discharge method. Due to the cooperation of the Sn nanoparticles, onion-like carbon shell and the doping of N in carbon shell, the nanocapsules show good electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, exhibiting excellent cycling stability of 902.8 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles and bearing superior rate capability with average reversible capacity of 428.6 mA h g−1 at 20 A g−1.