SnO2@Co3O4 hollow nano-spheres for a Li-ion battery anode with extraordinary performance

SnO2@Co3O4 hollow nano-spheres have been prepared using the template-based sol-gel coating technique and their electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium-ion battery (LIB) was investigated. The size of synthesized hollow spheres was about 50 nm with the shell thickness of 7–8 nm. The fabricated SnO2@Co3O4 hollow nano-sphere electrode exhibited an extraordinary reversible capacity (962 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA·g−1), good cyclability, and high rate capability, which was attributed to the Co-enhanced reversibility of the Li2O reduction reaction during cycling.