Zn2SnO4 nanowires versus nanoplates: electrochemical performance and morphological evolution during Li-cycling.

Zn2SnO4 nanowires have been synthesized directly on stainless steel substrate without any buffer layers by the vapor transport method. The structural and morphological properties are investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performance of Zn2SnO4 nanowires is examined by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in two different voltage windows, 0.005–3 and 0.005–1.5 V vs Li and compared to that of Zn2SnO4 nanoplates prepared by hydrothermal method. Galvanostatic cycling studies of Zn2SnO4 nanowires in the voltage range 0.005–3 V, at a current of 120 mA g–1, show a reversible capacity of 1000 (±5) mAh g–1 with almost stable capacity for first 10 cycles, which thereafter fades to 695 mAh g–1 by 60 cycles. Upon cycling in the voltage range 0.005–1.5 V vs Li, a stable, reversible capacity of 680 (±5) mAh g–1 is observed for first 10 cycles with a capacity retention of 58% between 10–50 cycles. On the other hand, Zn2S...