Carbon Nanotube Composites of Sb, Sn_2Sb and Sn_2Co Alloys as Li-ion Battery Anodes

摘要

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are interesting one-dimensional hosts for the intercalation of Li and alkali metals. It has been reported that their storage capacities are often dependent on their microstructure, with reversible capacities typically in the range of 80-640 mAh/g . On the hand, metals such as Sn and Sb are known Li storage compounds with very high capacities. However, the large specific volume change in Li insertion and extraction reactions causes mechanical disintegration of the electrode, and rapid capacity fading is observed. In our previous work, a high dispersion of tin oxide on graphite exhibited improved fading characteristics relative to pristine tin oxide and higher specific capacity relative to graphite. Here we present our preliminary findings on the preparation of CNT nanocomposites with Sb, Sn_2Sb and Sn_2Co alloys; and their electrochemical activities in Li insertion and extraction reactions.