SnO2-coated multiwall carbon nanotube composite anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

SnO2-coated multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The SnO2/MWCNT composites, when combined with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a binder, show excellent cyclic retention, with the high specific capacity of 473 mAh g-1 beyond 100 cycles, much greater than that of the bare SnO2 which was also prepared by the hydrothermal method in the absence of MWCNTs. The enhanced capacity retention could be mainly attributed to good dispersion of the tin dioxide particles in the matrix of MWCNTs, which protected the particles from agglomeration during the cycling process. Furthermore, the usage of CMC as a binder is responsible for the low cost and environmental friendliness of the whole electrode fabrication process.