Microwave-Assisted and Gram-Scale Synthesis of Ultrathin SnO₂ Nanosheets with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

Abstract

The rational design and fabrication of SnO2-based anode materials could offer a powerful way of effectively alleviating their large volume variation and guaranteeing excellent reaction kinetics for electrochemical lithium storage. Herein, we present an ultrarapid, low-cost, and simple microwave-assisted synthesis of ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets at the gram-scale. The two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic growth depends on microwave dielectric irradiation coupled with surfactant structural direction, and is conducted under low-temperature atmospheric conditions. The ultrathin 2D nanostructure holds a great surface tin atom percentage with high activity, where the electrochemical reaction processes could be facilitated that highly dependent on the surface. Compared with 1D SnO2 nanorods, the ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets exhibit remarkably improved electrochemical lithium storage properties with a high reversible capacity of 757.6 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1) up to 40 cycles as well as excellent rate capability and cycling stability. Specifically, the ultrathin 2D nanosheet could significantly reduce ion diffusion paths, thus allowing faster phase transitions, while the sufficient external surface interspace and interior porous configuration could successfully accommodate the huge volume changes. Even more importantly, we develop a promising strategy to produce ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets to tackle their intrinsic problems for commercial applications.

Growth of Ultrafine SnO 2 Nanoparticles within Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Networks: Non-Solution Synthesis and Excellent Electrochemical Properties as Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

“…[38,39] After 50 cycles, the discharge capacity is as high as 1144 mAh g -1 . Evidently, the SnO 2 -MWCNT electrode exhibits a much smaller semicircle diameter (~45 Ω) than that of ever reported pure SnO 2 or SnO 2 -graphene based electrodes, [40,41] indicating the fast electron transfer. In addition, the steeper inclined line at the low frequency for the SnO 2 -MWCNT electrode indicates the faster lithium ion diffusion than that of SnO 2 electrode (Fig.…”

A Simple Synthesis of Two-Dimensional Ultrathin Nickel Cobaltite Nanosheets for Electrochemical Lithium Storage

“…To evaluate the electrochemical performances of the assynthesized NiCo 2 O 4 nanosheets, CR2025-type half-cell system was constructed as described in our previously published papers [5,33]. Typically, 70 wt% active materials, 20 wt% Super P carbon (conducting material), and 10 wt% polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, binder) were first ground uniformly within an agate mortar for about 30 minutes.…”

“…As one of the promising energy storage and conversion devices, rechargeable lithium ion batteries have spurred intense research to resolve the ever-increasing energy and environmental issues due to their efficient high energy density [1][2][3][4][5]. Despite its successful application in portable electronic devices, the rechargeable lithium ion batteries are also urgently being developed for powering the ever-emerging vehicles, such as hybrid and all-electric vehicles [6][7][8].…”

Synthesis of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Stabilized Nonstoichiometric SnO2 Nanosheets with Exposed {101} Facets and Sn(II) Self-Doping as Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

“…via solvo/hydrothermal method. [4,[21][22][23][24][25][26] However, nonstoichiometric defects and facet control were rarely investigated. On one hand, the use of divalent tin source could unavoidably result in the formation of SnO or self-doping of Sn 2+ , which greatly affects the electrical and optical properties, and this phenomenon has not been thoroughly investigated.…”