Direct growth of SnO2 nanorod array electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

SnO₂nanorod arrays have been prepared on large-area flexible metallic substrates (Fe–Co–Ni alloy and Ni foil) via a hydrothermal process for the first time and have been demonstrated as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries. Electrochemical behavior is found to depend crucially on the structural parameters of the array. An array consisting of SnO₂nanorods of average 60 nm in diameter and 670 nm in length delivers a reversible capacity of as high as 580 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles (at 0.1C) and shows excellent rate capability (350 mAh g⁻¹ at the 5C rate). Structural disintegration and agglomeration were not observed for SnO₂ arrays even after 50 cycles.