Preparation and characterization of SnO2/carbon nanotube composite for lithium ion battery applications

Abstract SnO2/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite was prepared via a diffusion method. Firstly the MWCNT was sonicated in a filtrate which was derived from a tin dichloride solution mixed with AgNO3 solution. Then the SnO2/MWCNT composite was prepared whereby, after calcination in N2 atmosphere, the salts inside the MWCNT decomposed to SnO2. The resulting composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, which indicated that SnO2 had infiltrated into the MWCNT and filled the interior. The subsequent evaluation of the electrochemical performance in lithium ion batteries showed that the SnO2/MWCNT composite had a reversible discharge capacity of 505.9 mAh∙g− 1 after 40 cycles, as compared to 126.4 mAh∙g− 1 for pure nano-SnO2.