Nanoporous Sn-SnO 2 -TiO 2 composite films with large surface areas were fabricated on Cu sheets by a hybrid electroplating method, i.e., electrodeposition and electrophoretic deposition, using an ethanol-water mixed bath containing SnCl 2 and TiCl 3 . The Sn-SnO 2 -TiO 2 composite films, containing a large amount of oxygen and a small amount of Ti (2-16 at.%) in form of TiO 2 , are composed of nanocrystals in the form of dendrites, needles, flakes, or scales, which were dependent predominantly on the mole ratio of [Sn 2+ ]/ [Ti 3+ ], but also on the volume ratio of EtOH/H 2 O in the plating baths and the current density. The initial specific discharge capacities were 495, 1069, and 772 mAh · g −1 for the nanoporous Sn-SnO 2 -TiO 2 composite films formed in plating baths with EtOH/H 2 O ratios of 9:1, 6:1, and 3:1, respectively. The enhanced discharge capacity and improved retention of the composite films can be attributed to their nanoporous structure and the inclusion of TiO 2 , which mitigates the volume change that occurs during the lithiation and delithiation of the Sn nanocrystals. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely utilized as power sources in various portable electronics, such as cellular phones, digital cameras, and portable computers; these also show significant promise for applications in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and smart grids.1-7 Currently, most commercial LIBs utilize carbonaceous materials as the anodic active substance and Cu foils as current collectors. However, industrial technologies related to LIBs have been becoming more sophisticated, approaching the theoretical capacitance to the theoretical capacitance of carbon-based materials (LiC 6 : 372 mAh · g −1 ). Considering the future applications in the automobile industry for electric vehicles (EVs), it is highly desirable to explore new anode materials with higher power densities and increased lifetime cycles to meet the expanding needs of the LIB industry.To obtain higher gravimetric and volumetric capacities, Sn-based materials have attracted considerable attention as potential substitutes for the conventional carbonaceous anode materials of LIBs, because Sn has a high theoretical capacitance (Li 4.4 Sn: 994 mAh · g −1 ) and possesses an excellent electrical conductivity. [8][9][10][11] Pure Sn metal, however, exhibits a poor cyclic lifetime due to its mechanical scalability from its volume expansion (around 300%) and contraction during the lithium insertion and extraction processes, as well as a continual formation of a thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) during cycling. During the charge-discharge cycles, the mechanical scalability will crack and deteriorate the electrode, significantly affecting the mechanical stability and cyclic lifetime of the battery. In order to improve the cycling performance of a Sn electrode, some non-active materials including Co, 12-14 Ni, [15][16] Cu, 17 and Zn 18 were regularly added into the Sn metal to produce Sn alloys and meditate the volume change, thoug...

Nanoporous Sn-TiO2 composite films with large surface areas were fabricated on Cu sheets by a hybrid electroplating method, i.e., electrodeposition and electrophoretic deposition, using an ethanol-water mixed bath containing SnCl2 and TiCl3. The Sn-TiO2 composite films, containing a large amount of oxygen and a small amount of TiO2 in 1–4 at%, composed of nano-crystals in forms of dendrites, needles, flakes or scales, which depended predominantly on the mole ratio of [Sn2+]/[Ti3+], the volume ratio of ethanol/water in plating baths, and the current density. The initial specific discharge capacities were 495, 1069, and 772 mAh g-1 for the nanoporous Sn-TiO2 composite films formed in plating baths with EtOH/H2O ratios of 9:1, 6:1, and 3:1, respectively. The enhanced discharge capacity and improved retention of composite films can be attributed to the nanoporous structure and the inclusion of TiO2, which mitigate the volume change during the lithiation and delithiation of Sn nanocrystals.