We introduce a novel ambient hydrolysis deposition (AHD) methodology that, for the first time, employs sequential water adsorption followed by a hydrolysis reaction to infiltrate tiny SnO2 particles inside nanopores of mesoporous carbon in a conformal and controllable manner. The empty space in the SnO2/C composites can be adjusted by varying the number of AHD cycles. A SnO2/C composite with an intermediate SnO2 loading exhibits an initial specific delithiation capacity of 1054 mAh/g as an anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). The capacity contribution from SnO2 in the composite electrode approaches the theoretical capacity of SnO2 (1494 mAh/g) when considering that both Sn alloying and SnO2 conversion reactions are reversible. The composite shows a specific capacity of 573 mAh/g after 300 cycles, one of the most stable cycling performances for the SnO2/mesoporous carbon composites. Enabled by the controllable AHD coatings, our results demonstrated the importance of the well-tuned empty space in nanostructured composites to accommodate the expansion of electrode active mass during alloying/dealloying and conversion reactions.

Multiple ambient hydrolysis deposition of tin oxide into nanoporous carbon as a stable anode for Lithium-ion batteries

248th National Meeting (2014)

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