Sonochemical synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles and their preliminary study as Li insertion electrodes

SnO2 semiconductor nanoparticles were synthesized by an ultrasonic irradiation of an aqueous solution of SnCl4 and azodicarbonamide under ambient air. These nanoparticles are similar to 3-5 nm in size, as calculated using the Debye-Scherrer formula, and as observed by TEM. The SnO2 nanoparticles were also characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), reflection spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DSC, and TGA. The band gap was calculated from reflection spectroscopy. Electrochemical tests were performed using the SnO2 nanoparticles as the electrode's materials in nonaqueous Li salt solutions. The results showed promising reversibility, cycle life and high capacity for lithium insertion into the SnO2 nanoparticles.