Facile synthesis of sesame-husk-like porous SnO2 nanocylinders as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Sesame-husk-like porous SnO 2 nanocylinders were synthesised by a refluxed technique followed calcination in air. Served as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, porous SnO 2 nanocylinders showed a higher initial discharge capacity of 2411.3 mAh/g at 100 mA/g compared with non-porous SnO 2 nanocylinders (2043.6 mAh/g). Moreover, porous SnO 2 nanocylinders demonstrated better cyclability and rate capability in comparison with non-porous SnO 2 nanocylinders. For porous SnO 2 nanocylinders, a higher discharge capacity of 414.5 mAh/g after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA/g can be successfully delivered, and a higher reversible capacity of 248.3 mAh/g at 1000 mA/g current density after 100 cycles could be retained. The improved electrochemical performance is mainly ascribed to the unique porous nanostructures.