Morphology control of SnO and application in lithium-ion batteries

Monodisperse tetragonal SnO nanoparticles with exposed {100}, {010} and {001} facets have been successfully synthesized by decomposition of tin(II) oxalate using 1-octylamine and oleic acid (OA). The percentage of exposed facets could be regulated by changing the proportion of 1-octylamine and OA. Based on the lithium-ion battery performance and structure analysis, we conclude that the monodisperse SnO nanoparticles with a greater percentage of exposed {010} and {100} facets exhibit a better electrochemical performance than those with exposed {001} facets.