Improved Li storage performance in SnO2 nanocrystals by a synergetic doping

Abstract

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is a widely investigated lithium (Li) storage material because of its easy preparation, two-step storage mechanism and high specific capacity for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this contribution, a phase-pure cobalt-doped SnO2 (Co/SnO2) and a cobalt and nitrogen co-doped SnO2 (Co-N/SnO2) nanocrystals are prepared to explore their Li storage behaviors. It is found that the morphology, specific surface area, and electrochemical properties could be largely modulated in the doped and co-doped SnO2 nanocrystals. Gavalnostatic cycling results indicate that the Co-N/SnO2 electrode delivers a specific capacity as high as 716 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles, and the same outstanding rate performance can be observed in subsequent cycles due to the ionic/electronic conductivity enhancement by co-doping effect. Further, microstructure observation indicates the existence of intermediate phase of Li3N with high ionic conductivity upon cycling, which probably accounts for the improvements of Co-N/SnO2 electrodes. The method of synergetic doping into SnO2 with Co and N, with which the electrochemical performances is enhanced remarkably, undoubtedly, will have an important influence on the material itself and community of LIBs as well.

Tin Oxide Based Nanomaterials and Their Application as Anodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries and Beyond

“…Redox‐active dopants include manganese, iron, antimony, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and molybdenum . In addition to the effect of redox‐inactive dopants discussed above, their corresponding metal oxides can, in principle, undergo a conversion reaction with lithium over the applied potential range of the anode, resulting in a theoretical gain in capacity (see also Section 4.4) .…”

“…Moreover, other dopants or multidoping strategies have been reported, for example, Mg, Al, In, F, N, P, S/F, Co/F, and Co/N …”

“…Among others, cobalt is an interesting redox‐active dopant because Co‐doped SnO 2 shows a volume buffering effect that is attributed to a reduced and maintained small SnO 2 primary particle size upon cycling. Furthermore, Co‐doped SnO 2 demonstrates a measurable gain in capacity versus undoped SnO 2 , with a decreased voltage hysteresis and increased coulombic efficiency . Nithyadharseni et al.…”

Formation mechanisms of Fe3−xSnxO4 by a chemical vapor transport (CVT) process

“…Binary and ternary metal oxides of tin (such as SnO, SnO 2 , Zn 2 SnO 4 , CaSnO 3 , BaSnO 3 , etc) have recently used as highly suitable semiconductor materials, which can be applied in electronic industrials1234567. For instance, tin-doped spinel (Fe 3−x Sn x O 4 , x = 0~1.0) has been widely used as ferrimagnetic materials, electrical transformer cores, gas-detector sensors, heterogeneous catalysts and magnetic memory devices89101112.…”

Octahedral Tin Dioxide Nanocrystals Anchored on Vertically Aligned Carbon Aerogels as High Capacity Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Developing new electrode materials with ultrahigh specific capacity and good cycling stability for LIBs is a crucial step to promote their large scale applications in energy storage units 3 4 5 . Up to now, a great number of interests have been generated to develop high-power anode materials with various nanostructures and morphologies to facilitate the next generation of high-performance rechargeable LIBs 6 7 8 9 . Among numerous anode materials including metal, metal oxide/dioxide and conjugated polymers, tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) is considered as one of the most important active anode materials for energy storage due to their high theoretical capacity, low potential of lithium ion intercalation, no toxicity and low cost features 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 .…”