Synthesis and electrochemical behaviour of tin oxide for use as anode in lithium rechargeable batteries

SnO₂ was synthesized by precipitation from an aqueous solution of SnCl₄ and NH₄OH, followed by a heat treatment. The product was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and TG. The XRD patterns suggest the formation of phase-pure cassiterite form of SnO₂. SEM imaging indicates that the particles obtained are of sub-micron size with good morphology and size control (around ∼300 nm). Electrodes were fabricated by a slurry-coating procedure and the electrochemical performances of these electrodes were evaluated using galvanostatic cycling tests. The results suggest that the heat treated SnO₂ samples deliver higher capacities when cycled between 1.0 and 0.1 V vs. Li⁺/Li and showed coulombic efficiencies of more than 98% in the tenth cycle.