High-performance Sn/Carbon Composite Anodes Derived from Sn(II) Acetate/Polyacrylonitrile Precursors by Electrospinning Technology

Sn/carbon composite nanofibers with various compositions were prepared from Sn(II) acetate/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursors by a combination of electrospinning and carbonization methods, and their potential use as anode materials for rechargeable lithiumion batteries was investigated. The composite electrode derived from 20 wt% Sn(II) acetate/PAN precursor showed excellent electrochemical properties, including a large reversible capacity of 699 mAh g‾1 and a high capacity retention of 83% in 50 cycles. Sn/carbon composite nanofibers exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance ascribing to the combination of the properties of both Sn nanoparticles (large Li storage capability) and carbon matrices (long cycle life), and therefore could be potentially used in high-energy rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.