SnO2 Nanorod-Planted Graphite: An Effective Nanostructure Configuration for Reversible Lithium Ion Storage

We report a novel architecture of SnO2 nanorod-planted graphite particles for an efficient Li ion storage material that can be prepared by a simple catalyst-assisted hydrothermal process. Rectangular-shaped SnO2 nanorods are highly crystalline with a tetragonal rutile phase and distributed uniformly over the surface of micrometer-sized graphite particles. In addition, the size dimensions of grown SnO2 nanorods can be controlled by varying the synthesis conditions. The diameter can be engineered to a sub-100 nm range, and the length can be controlled to up to several hundred nanometers. Significantly, the SnO2 nanorod-planted graphite demonstrates an initial Li ion storage capacity of about 1010 mAh g(-1) during the first cycle. Also, these SnO2-graphite composites show high Coulombic efficiency and cycle stability in comparison with SnO2 nanomaterials that are not combined with graphite. The enhanced electrochemical properties of SnO2 nanorod-planted graphite, as compared with bare SnO2 materials, inspire better design of composite materials with effective nanostructural configurations for advanced electrodes in lithium ion batteries.