CNTs@SnO2@C Coaxial Nanocables with Highly Reversible Lithium Storage

This paper reports a new type of nanostructure, carbon nanotubes@SnO2@carbon (CNTs@SnO2@C) coaxial nanocables, by homogeneous deposition of SnO2 and carbon layers in sequence on CNTs templates. The CNTs@SnO2@C coaxial nanocables with carbon layers of different thickness have been prepared and applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, which exhibit higher lithium storage capacities and better cycling performance compared to single CNTs and CNTs@SnO2 coaxial nanocables. This novel nanostructure, which integrates both electronic conductivity and buffering matrix design strategies, can be responsible for the improved lithium storage performance.