Synthesis and properties of nanosized tin-zinc composite oxides as lithium storage materials

Abstract

After preparing the precursor by a liquid precipitation method, a series of tin-zinc composite oxides with different components and structures were synthesized as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries when the precursor was pyrolyzed at different temperatures. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical measurements. The reversible capacity of amorphous ZnSnO₃ is 844 mA · h/g in the first cycle and the charge capacity is 695 mA · h/g in the tenth cycle. The reversible capacity of ZnO · SnO₂ is 845 mA · h/g in the first cycle and the charge capacity is 508 mA · h/g in the tenth cycle. The reversible capacity of SnO₂ · Zn₂SnO₄ is 758 mA · h/g in the first cycle and the charge capacity is 455 mA &midddot; h/g in the tenth cycle. Results show that amorphous ZnSnO₃ exhibits the best electrochemical property among all of the tin-zinc composite oxides. With the formation of crystallites in the samples, the electrochemical property of the tin-zinc composite oxides decreases.