SnO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanotubes as a large capacity, high rate and long lifetime anode for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract SnO2–ZrO2 composite nanoparticles were embedded in the few-walled carbon nanotubes (FWCNTs) network to synthesise a ternary SnO2–ZrO2-CNT nanocomposite by the hydrothermal and ball milling methods. The SnO2–ZrO2 composite was uniformly dispersed in the CNT matrix. The CNTs in the composite alleviated the volume expansion during cycling, improved conductivity, and shortened the transmission path of electrons and Li+. Therefore, the SnO2–ZrO2-CNT composite showed high reversible capacity of 1072.2 mAhg−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 Ag-1 with high initial coulomb efficiency of 77.9% and >98.8% in the following cycles, high-rate capacity of 653.6 mAhg−1 at 5.0 Ag-1, and long-term capacity of 610.7 mAhg−1 at 5.0 Ag-1 after 1000 cycles. Because of its outstanding properties, the SnO2–ZrO2-CNT nanocomposite is a promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.