SnO2 nanoparticles embedded in 3D hierarchical honeycomb-like carbonaceous network for high-performance lithium ion battery

Highlights: • A honeycomb-like SnO₂/C composite is synthesized via a facile all-in-one route. • Water-soluble NaCl templates are used to form the honeycomb-like structure. • The composite anode for LIBs exhibits 798 mA h g⁻¹ over 1000 cycles. • Enhanced performance benefits from the unique 3D honeycomb-like structure. -- Abstract: A honeycomb-like composite of SnO₂ nanoparticles decorated 3D carbon network (H-SnO₂@3DC) is synthesized via an all-in-one route, where the assembling of structural directing NaCl templates and the in-situ freeze-drying followed by pyrolysis growth of 2D carbon sheets encapsulated SnO₂ nanoparticles are involved. The carbon network with high porosity endows the composite with high conductivity and buffers the volume change, whereas the homogenously dispersed SnO₂ nanoparticles work as active sites to store Li⁺. The Li-ion battery (LIB) employed the as-obtained composite anode materials exhibits a high reversible capacity of 798 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ over 1000 cycles and an enhanced rate capability of 374 mA h g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹, demonstrating the unique synergism of the above 3D hierarchical honeycomb-like structure. This synthetic strategy provides an inspiration to prepare other metallic oxides/sulfides anode with problems of volume expansion or poor conductivity for alkali ion storage.