Strontium nitrate as a stable and potential anode material for lithium ion batteries

A novel anode candidate, Sr(NO 3 ) 2 , has been studied as a potential host material in lithium-ion batteries. The phase composition, particle morphology and lithium storage capability of Sr(NO 3 ) 2 have been thoroughly investigated. Sr(NO 3 ) 2 ,could maintain its reversible charge capacity at 237.3   mA   h   g −1 along with a high capacity retention of 99.08% at 50   mA   g −1 . Furthermore, it shows excellent cycling stability even at higher current density. Cycled at 500   mA   g −1 , it can deliver an initial charge capacity of 103.0   mA   h   g −1 kept at 100.9   mA   h   g −1 after 500 cycles. Compared with other nitrates that have been reported before, Sr(NO 3 ) 2 proved to have a better capacity retention capability at low and high rates. The high stable electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the absence of crystal water in its structure. Most importantly, commercial Sr(NO 3 ) 2 in this work just needs to be ground uniformly before its use as anode material and does not need complicated pretreatment like doping, carbon coating, calcination or nanocrystallization .