title: Plum-branch-like carbon nanofibers decorated with SnO2 nanocrystals.
abstract: Novel plum-branch-like carbon nanofibers (CNFs) decorated with SnO2 nanocrystals have been synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment in an Ar/H2O atmosphere. The morphologies of the as-synthesized SnO2/CNF composites and the contents of carbon and SnO2 can be controlled by adjusting the heat treatment temperature. It is proposed that the growth of SnO2/CNF composites follows the outward diffusion of tin composites from the as-spun tin composite/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, pyrolysis of PAN and oxidation of tin composites, and then formation of SnO2 nanocrystals around the CNFs. This novel 1D SnO2/CNF composite may have potential application in nanobatteries, nano fuel cells, and nanosensors. A preliminary result has revealed that the SnO2/CNF composite presents favourable electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Zunxian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Guodong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Zaiping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xuebin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhixin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Huakun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu