Active and inactive buffering effect on the electrochemical behavior of Sn–Ni/MWCNT composite anodes prepared by pulse electrodeposition for lithium-ion batteries

Highlights: • Sn–Ni/MWCNT anodes were produced by pulse electrodeposition. • The effect of MWCNT studied on electrochemical properties of composite electrodes. • A high reversible capacity, and good cyclability were achieved for Sn–Ni/MWCNT (10 g L⁻¹). - Abstract: Cycling stability of pure tin electrodes was aimed to improve by using suitable combination of nickel and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Nanocrystalline Sn–Ni/MWCNT composite was prepared by ultrasonic-pulse electrodeposition on a copper substrate in a pyrophosphate bath containing different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Surface morphology of produced Sn–Ni/MWCNT composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was conducted to understand the elemental surface composition of composites. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to investigate structure of Sn–Ni/MWCNT composites. The electrochemical performances of Sn–Ni/MWCNT composite electrodes have been investigated by charge/discharge tests, cyclic voltammetric experiments and the ac impedance technique. These cells discharge capacity cyclically tested by a battery tester at a constant current in voltage range between 0.02 V and 1.5 V. The concentrations of MWCNTs were shown to be a crucial factor to improve Sn–Ni/MWCNT composite anodes for cyclability and reversible capacity