Preparation of hollow Zn2SnO4 boxes for advanced lithium-ion batteries

Hollow ZnSn(OH)6 boxes were synthesized from solid ZnSn(OH)6 cubes via an alkaline etching method followed by a calcination process. The as-prepared hollow boxes have an edge length ranging from 200 nm to 1 μm. Compared with the solid Zn2SnO4 cubes, hollow Zn2SnO4 boxes show an improved electrochemical performance (540 mA h g−1 at a current density of 300 mA g−1 after 45 cycles) and high rate capability (540, 482, 434, 353 and 300 mA h g−1 at the current densities of 300, 600, 1200 1800 and 2400 mA g−1, respectively). This class of hollow box-like structure may hold great promise for the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries.