Three-dimensional hybrid tin oxide/carbon nanowire arrays for high-performance Li ion battery electrodes

Herein, we report the synthesis of three-dimensional self-supported SnO₂ nanowire arrays wrapped in an amorphous layer of carbon, for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries. The SnO₂ nanowires were synthesized using a vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism, and the carbon coating process was performed by spin-coating sucrose solution with a subsequent pyrolysis process. The SnO₂/C hybrid nanowire arrays electrode exhibits a superior reversible capacity of 700 mAh g^-1 after 50 cycles at a high-current rate of 1 C, demonstrating enhanced reversible capacity and cycle performance compared to the bare nanowire. The high-reversible capacity and cycle stability are because of the enhanced electrical conductivity and the stress relaxation effect of the amorphous carbon layer.