Nanostructured SnSb/carbon nanotube composites synthesized by reductive precipitation for lithium-ion batteries

Nanosized particles of SnSb alloy were coated on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by reductive precipitation of metal chloride salts within a CNT suspension. The SnSb - CNT nanocomposite showed a high reversible capacity of 480 mAh g(-1) and stable cyclic retention until the 50th cycle. The improvement of reversible capacity and cyclic performance of the SnSb - CNT composite is attributed to the nanoscale dimension of the SnSb alloy particles (< 50 nm) and the structural advantages of CNTs as a framework material. The CNTs could be pinning the SnSb alloy particles on their surfaces so as to hinder the agglomeration of SnSb particles, while maintaining electronic conduction as well as accommodating drastic volume variation during electrochemical reactions.