Electrochemical properties of disordered-carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles for Li rechargeable batteries

The effects of carbon coating on similar to 9 nm SnO2 particles were examined. The C-coated SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized from SnCl4, glucose, and ethylene glycol through a solvothermal method. Raman spectra indicated that the coated carbon was a disordered carbon. The C-coated SnO2 nanoparticles showed superior cycling properties to the uncoated ones. Transmission electron microscopy after cycling confirmed that the nanoparticles were well dispersed without aggregation. The enhanced cycling property is believed to be attributed to the effective hindrance of nanoparticle growth by the core/shell structure of Sn/Li2O and carbon layer after phase separation during the first discharge. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.