A scalable ternary SnO2–Co–C composite as a high initial coulombic efficiency, large capacity and long lifetime anode for lithium ion batteries
By Tao Liang, Renzong Hu, Houpo Zhang, Hanyin Zhang, Hui Wang, Yunpeng Ouyang, Jun Liu, Lichun Yang and Min Zhu
Published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
2018
Abstract
A new ternary SnO2–Co–C composite is produced using a facile and scalable ball milling method, which has a microstructure that includes refined SnO2–Co hybrids embedded in graphite. The Co additives dramatically inhibit Sn coarsening in the lithiated SnO2, which enables highly reversible conversion reactions in the SnO2-based ternary composite during cycling. The electrodes exhibit high ICEs with an average of 80.8% and a reversible capacity of 780 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 400 cycles when the composite was manufactured via small planetary ball milling, and they achieve 875 mA h g−1 after 250 cycles when the material is prepared on a large-scale with a roller mill. Even at a high rate of 2 A g−1, the composite has a long lifetime and delivers 610 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, a stable capacity of 410 mA h g−1 can be also retained in a full cell combined with a LiFePO4 cathode and SnO2–Co–C anode when cycling within 2.3–3.4 V at 0.2C. The new ternary SnO2–Co–C composite demonstrates excellent comprehensive electrochemical performances, and it is a promising candidate anode material for use in practical applications.