title: Uniform nano-Sn/C composite anodes for lithium ion batteries.
abstract: Nano-Sn/C composites are ideal anode materials for high energy and power density Li-ion batteries. However, because of the low melting point of Sn and the tendency of grain growth, especially during high temperature carbonization, it has been a significant challenge to create well-dispersed ultrasmall Sn nanoparticles within a carbon matrix. In this paper, we demonstrate an aerosol spray pyrolysis technique, as a facile and scalable method, to synthesize a nano-Sn/C composite with uniformly dispersed 10 nm nano-Sn within a spherical carbon matrix. The discharge capacity of nano-Sn/C composite sphere anodes maintains the initial capacity of 710 mAh/g after 130 cycles at 0.25 C. The nano-Sn/C composite sphere anodes can provide ~600 mAh/g even at a high rate of 20 C. To the best of our knowledge, such high rate performance for Sn anodes has not been reported previously. The exceptional performance of the nano-Sn/C composite is attributed to the unique nano-Sn/C structure: (1) carbon matrix offers mechanical support to accommodate the stress associated with the large volume change of nano-Sn, thus alleviating pulverization; (2) the carbon matrix prevents Sn nanoparticle agglomeration upon prolonged cycling; and (3) carbon network provides continuous path for Li ions and electrons inside the nano-Sn/C composite spheres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Yunhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yujie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yihang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langrock
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zachariah
authors.forename: Chunsheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang