Fabricating thin two-dimensional hollow tin dioxide/carbon nanocomposite for high-performance lithium-ion battery anode

Both thin two-dimensional (2D) and hollow nanostructural materials are of great potential for high-performance anodes of lithium-ion batteries owing to their unique structural properties and surface characteristics. In this context, tin dioxide (SnO2) materials possessing well-designed thin 2D or hollow nanostructures have attracted immense attention and been considered as promising candidates to serve as anodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries. It is believed that thin 2D hollow nanostructures of SnO2 materials will have the advantages of both thin 2D and hollow nanostructures but they are difficult to be prepared due to the increased complexity of structures. Herein, a peculiar thin 2D hollow nanostructure of SnO2/carbon (SnO2/C) composite, composed of carbon in-situ coating thin SnO2 hollow nanosheets, has been prepared through a well-designed strategy. It is thus clear that this composite possesses the advantages of both thin 2D and hollow nanostructures as an anode for lithium-ion batteries. Expectedly, it is demonstrated that thus peculiar architecture offers the as-prepared SnO2/C composite superior electrochemical kinetics and outstanding structural stability. As a result, the as-prepared SnO2/C composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical lithium storage performance, delivering 707.8 and 483.2 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively, as well as superior rate capabilities.