Facile synthesis of graphitic carbons decorated with SnO2 nanoparticles and their application as high capacity lithium-ion battery anodes

A facile and potentially scalable synthesis route to obtain SnO₂–carbon composites was developed. SnO₂ nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of two types of graphitic carbon: (a) commercial porous graphite (HG) and (b) graphitic carbon nanostructures. The synthesis procedure consists of two simple steps: (i) room temperature formation/deposition of SnO₂ nanocrystals and (ii) thermal treatment at 350 °C to generate SnO₂ nanoparticles (size ~3.5 nm) over the carbon surface. The electrochemical performance of the graphitic carbons and the SnO₂–carbon composites as anode materials in Li-ion rechargeable batteries was investigated. In all cases, tape casting electrode fabrication allowed almost full active material utilization. Good cyclabilities were achieved, with HG and HG–SnO₂ showing capacities of 356 and 545 mAh g⁻¹, respectively after 50 cycles.