Intermetallic SnSbx compounds for lithium insertion hosts

Ultrafine SnSbx (x = 0, 0.23 and 1)powders are examined as host materials for lithium insertion and extraction. The cycle stability is dependent on the extent of lithium insertion and the phase composition of the SnSbx alloys. Limited lithium insertion into SnSb phase can prevent its structure rearrangement. SnSb0.23 two-phase alloy shows a better cycle performance than Sn and SnSb single-phase hosts under high lithium utilization. The high irreversibility of the metallic hosts at the first cycle can be compensated by a combination of the SnSbx with Li2.6Co0.4N. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.