Amorphized Sb-based composite for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes

An amorphized composite, Sb/Al2O3/C, prepared by a straightforward mechanochemical reduction method, is investigated for use as an anode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses reveal that the Sb/Al2O3/C composite is composed of amorphized Sb, amorphous Al2O3, and amorphous carbon. Electrochemical tests show that the electrochemical performance of the Sb/Al2O3/C composite is superior to that of the pure Sb electrode. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.