Preparation and Characteristics of MWNT/SnO 2 Nano-Composite Anode by Homogeneous Precipitation Method

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/SnO nano-composite (MSC) for the anode electrode of a Li-ion battery was prepared using a homogeneous precipitation method with SnCl precursors in the presence of MWNT. XRD results indicate that when annealed in Ar at 400 C, Sn O (OH) was fully converted to SnO phases. TEM observations showed that most of the SnO nanoparticles were deposited directly on the outside surface of the MWNT. The electrochemical performance of the MSC electrode showed higher specific capacities than a MWNT and better cycleability than a nano-SnO electrode. The electrochemical performance of the MSC electrode improved because the MWNT in the MSC electrode absorbed the mechanical stress induced from a volume change during alloying and de-alloying reactions with lithium, leading to an increase in the electrical conductivity of the composite material.