Simple synthesis of metallic Sn nanocrystals embedded in graphitic ordered mesoporous carbon walls as superior anode materials for lithium ion batteries

New Sn-C nanocomposite with metallic tin nanocrystals embedded into graphitic mesoporous carbon walls has been synthesized via a simple one-step solid-liquid grinding/templating route. X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques are used to characterize the samples. It is observed that high content of metallic tin nanocrystals with the sizes of 3-5 nm are well dispersed into the highly conductive graphitic carbon walls, and synthesized tin graphitic mesoporous carbon (Sn-GMC) nanocomposite possesses ordered 2D hexagonal mesostructures with moderate surface area, large pore volume and hierarchical porosity. Due to its novel structures, the Sn-GMC nanocomposite exhibits high initial coulombic efficiency, excellent cyclability and rate performance when employed as an anode material in lithium ion batteries. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.