Tin Oxide and Carbon Composite (Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG) as the Anode in a Lithium Ion Battery

A tin oxide and carbon composite (Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG) with a Sn content of 0.15-0.30 was prepared by chemical deposition at normal pressures and temperatures. The structures of the artificial graphite (AG), the Sn₆O₄(OH)₄, and the Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG were analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical lithiation was investigated by measuring the galvanostatic charge and discharge ratio. The electrochemical capacities of the three materials during the first discharge were 310 mAh/g (AG), 616 mAh/g (Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG), and 1090 mAh/g (Sn₆O₄(OH)₄). The discharge capacity of the Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG was larger than the simple sum of the capacities provided by AG and Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ with the same content. The cyclic performance of Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG was also better than that of Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ for voltages of 0 to 3 V. The results imply that the interaction between Sn and C in Sn₆O₄(OH)₄/AG is very strong and effectively inhibits the volume expansion of the Sn.