Synthesis of nanocomposites with carbon–SnO2 dual-shells on TiO2 nanotubes and their application in lithium ion batteries

Through the introduction of well-distributed tin oxide nanocrystals on the surface of pre-prepared TiO2 nanotubes and carbon coating, novel TiO2/SnO2–C double-shell nanotubes have been synthesized. As an anode material of Li-ion batteries (LIBs), DSNTs exhibit excellent long-term cycling stability (256.0 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 710 cycles) and satisfactory rate capability, which are ascribed to the synergetic effects of a unique combination of material properties in the well-designed conductive matrix: high volume stable titanium dioxide to form a one-dimensional (1D) core section to maintain the structure, large theoretical capacity tin oxide as a functional layer to increase capacity and highly conductive carbon as a buffer layer to accelerate charging rate.