Hydrothermal synthesis of flower-like Zn2SnO4 composites and their performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Flower-like Zn 2 SnO 4 composites had been prepared through a green hydrothermal synthesis. The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties were investigated by means of XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, and electrochemical measurement. The results show that the as-prepared sample is in high purity phase and of good crystallinity; meanwhile it has a particular 3-D structure and large surface area. Electrochemical measurement suggests that flower-like Zn 2 SnO 4 composites exhibit better cycling properties and lower initial irreversible capacities than the solid Zn 2 SnO 4 cubes. The first discharge and charge capacities of the material are 1750 mA h g −1 and 880 mA h g −1 respectively. A higher reversible capacity of 501 mA h g −1 was obtained after 50 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g −1 . The higher reversible capacity and good stability can be related to the special nanostructural features of the material. Such Zn 2 SnO 4 structures synthesized by the simple and cheap method are expected to have potential application in energy storage.