One-dimensional SnO2 nanostructures: facile morphology tuning and lithium storage properties

This paper presents a facile method of preparation whereby one-dimensional SnO2 nanostructures of different morphologies, namely nanotubes, nanotube-nanorod hybrids and nanorods, could be obtained by thermally treating an alumina template loaded with SnCl4 aqueous solution in air. The fraction of interior cavity could be tuned by varying the precursor concentration in the preparation. The fully tubular nanostructure was found to be the most suitable for reversible Li+ storage. Out of an initially large capacity of 976 mA h g(-1), 654 mA h g(-1) could still be retained after 40 cycles of charge and discharge.