Autogenic synthesis of SnO{sub 2} materials and their structural, electrochemical, and optical properties

Journal Article · Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2012.07.047· OSTI ID:22149906

Calderon-Moreno, J. M. ^[1]; Thackeray, M. M. ^[2]

---

1. Institute of Physical Chemistry Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Splaiul Independentei St., Bucharest 060021 (Romania)
2. Electrochemical Energy Storage Department, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439 (United States)

During autogenic reactions, organometallic precursors are decomposed above their critical temperature within an enclosed chamber at high temperatures and pressures. It has recently been established that such reactions can be used to synthesize carbon-coated metal oxide and metal phosphate nanoparticles. These materials are of interest as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, we report the autogenic fabrication of a carbon-coated SnO{sub 2} product and a carbon-free SnO{sub 2} product after removal of the carbon coating by combustion. The major objectives of the study were to monitor any beneficial effects that carbon-coated electrodes containing a lithium alloying element such as Sn might have in improving the electrical connectivity between electrode particles, which expand and contract significantly on lithiation and delithiation, and their utility in lithium cells. Specifically, we report the compositional, structural and morphological properties, and electrochemical behavior of carbon-coated SnO{sub 2} electrodes. Given the importance of the optical properties of SnO{sub 2}, we also describe the effects of the carbon coating on the optical absorbance and photoluminescence of autogenically-prepared SnO{sub 2} materials. - Graphical abstract: One-step, solvent-free autogenic reactions yield nanosized SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles, uniformly coated and interconnected by 2-4 nm carbon layers, with improved electrochemical performance. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Distinctive autogenic process synthesized SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles coated with 2-4 nm carbon layers. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carbon coating improved capacity retention and cycling stability of SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carbon coating quenched photoluminescence of SnO{sub 2} component in SnO{sub 2}-C composite. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Autogenic approach is extremely versatile, holds promise for designing new nanoarchitectures.

• OSTI ID: 22149906
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 196; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY
FIELD EMISSION
LITHIUM
LITHIUM ALLOYS
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLES
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
TIN OXIDES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY