Microcrystalline SnSb Alloy Powder as Lithium Storage Material for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Spherical SnSb alloy powders with an average particle size of about were prepared from Sn and Sb oxides by carbothermal reduction. The synthesized SnSb alloy shows low initial capacity loss (ca. ) and high reversible capacity (around ). The capacity fade of the SnSb alloy during the charge/discharge process comes mainly from the Sb component rather than Sn component. Microsized SnSb alloy exhibits a much better cycling performance when cycled at than that at ambient temperature (ca. ), while it tends to be worse when cycled at . The rate capability of SnSb alloy was also investigated.