title: Electrochemical Activity of Dendrimer-Stabilized Tin Nanoparticles for Lithium Alloying Reactions.
abstract: The synthesis and characterization of Sn nanoparticles in organic solvents using sixth-generation dendrimers modified on their periphery with hydrophobic groups as stabilizers are reported. Sn(2+):dendrimer ratios of 147 and 225 were employed for the synthesis, corresponding to formation of Sn147 and Sn225 dendrimer-stabilized nanoparticles (DSNs). Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated the presence of ultrasmall Sn nanoparticles having an average size of 3.0-5.0 nm. X-ray absorption spectroscopy suggested the presence of Sn nanoparticles with only partially oxidized surfaces. Cyclic voltammetry studies of the Sn DSNs for Li alloying/dealloying reactions demonstrated good reversibility. Control experiments carried out in the absence of DSNs clearly indicated that these ultrasmall Sn DSNs react directly with Li to form SnLi alloys.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhandari
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stauffer
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dylla
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henkelman
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, ‡Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and §Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Crooks