Facile synthesis of SnO2-embedded carbon nanomaterials via glucose-mediated oxidation of Sn particles

An unusual oxidative reaction of micron-sized Sn particles to form highly dispersed SnO2 nanoparticles, embedded in a carbon matrix, during hydrothermal treatment in glucose solution is disclosed in this study. The reaction mechanism is proposed to result from the promotion of glucose decomposition by Sn. The work also discloses a green process with a yield of 5 similar to 10-fold higher than the commonly employed hydrothermal process. The embedded SnO2 nanoparticles are electrochemically stable for Li storage during the charging-discharging process, which suggests a promised strategy for the stabilization of Sn-based anode materials for Li-ion batteries. It also implies that the unusual oxidative reaction holds great potential for the synthesis of various nano-sized inorganic oxides embedded in carbon matrices to specific applications.