Enhanced electrochemical performance and mechanism study of AgLi1/3Sn2/3O2 for lithium storage

Abstract Herein, AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 with delafossite structure was prepared by treating the layered compound Li 2 SnO 3 with molten AgNO 3 via ion exchange of Li + for Ag + . The structure characterization and the electrochemical performance of AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 was thoroughly investigated. AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 is found to possess stacking lamellar morphology, which means small electrochemical impedance and so facilitates charge transfer kinetics during the cycling. Compared with Li 2 SnO 3 , due to the introducing of excellent electrical conductivity of silver, AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 exhibits improved electrochemical performance in terms of capacity, cycling stability and coulombic efficiency. The results show AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 presents favorable specific capacity of 339 mAh/g at current density of 200 mA/g after 50 cycles and initial coulombic efficiency of 96%. Ex situ XRD analysis revealed the reaction mechanism of AgLi 1/3 Sn 2/3 O 2 as an anode for lithium ion batteries.