Assembling CoSn3 nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with enhanced lithium storage properties

CoSn3 nanoparticles have been successfully assembled on noncovalently poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a chemical reduction method in a polyol system. The influences of the surface functionality and the reaction temperature on the synthesis of uniform CoSn3-MWCNTs nanohybrids have been investigated. The as-synthesized CoSn3-MWCNTs nanohybrids have been applied as anodes for lithium-ion batteries, and show better lithium storage performance compared to the bare CoSn3 nanoparticles and MWCNTs. The combining of MWCNTs that can hinder the agglomeration and enhance the electronic conductivity of the active materials is responsible for the enhanced cyclic performance.