Highly reversible lithium storage in porous SnO2 nanotubes with coaxially grown carbon nanotube overlayers

The preparation Of SnO2 nanotubes with coaxially grown carbon nanotube overlayers with good conformal control of shape and size is reported. The SnO2-core/carbon-shell nanotubes (see Figure) are excellent reversible lithium-ion storage compounds combining the best features of carbon (for cyclability) and SnO2 (for capacity). These structures deliver high specific capacity (similar to 540-600 mA h g(-1)) and good cyclability (0.0375% capacity loss per cycle).