Preparation of novel SnO2-B2O3 core-shell nanocomposite and their lithium storage ability

Herein we reported a novel SnO2-B2O3 core-shell nanocomposite synthesized with a modified molten-salt decomposition method, in which SnO2 particles were firstly dispersed in the molten SnSO4-B2O3 system, followed by solidification of a hard B2O3 shell. By limiting the volume expansion of SnO2 particles with the super-hard B2O3 layer, the electrochemical performances of the SnO2-B2O3 electrode were enhanced significantly, in terms of both the initial discharge capacity and capacity retention. The 100th cycle reversible capacity of the SnO2-B2O3 electrode remained as high as 537 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 156 mA g(-1). This method is greatly promising for a large-scale synthesis of nanosized SnO2 anode materials. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.