SnO2-ZnO nanoparticles wrapped in graphite nanosheets as a large-capacity, high-rate and long-lifetime anode for lithium-ion batteries

Highlights: • Ternary SnO₂-ZnO-C composite has been synthesized by hydrothermal and balling methods. • The ultrathin graphite nanosheet structure can facilitate lithium-ion transport. • ZnO can withstand high stress during cycling and stabilize the structure. • The ternary SnO₂-ZnO-C composite can withstand high stress during cycling. • Ternary SnO₂-ZnO-C composite shows high rate and cycling stability. SnO₂-ZnO nanoparticles were wrapped in the ultrathin graphite network to synthesize SnO₂-ZnO-C nanocomposite by the hydrothermal and ball milling methods. The SnO₂-ZnO hybrid was uniformly dispersed in the graphite matrix. The ultrathin graphite in the composite alleviated the volume expansion during cycling, improved conductivity and shortened the transmission path of electrons and Li⁺. Therefore, the SnO₂-ZnO-C composite shows intense invertible capacity of 1192.2 mAhg⁻¹ after 300 cycles at 0.2 Ag⁻¹ with high initial coulomb efficiency of 78.5% and stabilizes above 99.0% after four cycles, high-rate capacity of 723.6 mAhg⁻¹ at 5.0 Ag⁻¹, and long-term capacity of 596.3 mAhg⁻¹ at 5.0 Ag⁻¹ after 1000 cycles. Thanks to its outstanding properties, the SnO₂-ZnO-C nanocomposite is a prospective anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.