Interfacial engineering in SnO2-embedded graphene anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Tin dioxide is regarded as an alternative anode material rather than graphite due to its high theoretical specific capacity. Modification with carbon is a typical strategy to mitigate the volume expansion effect of SnO 2 during the charge process. Strengthening the interface bonding is crucial for improving the electrochemical performance of SnO 2 /C composites. Here, SnO 2 -embedded reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite with a low graphene content of approximately 5 wt.% was in situ synthesized via a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal method. The structural integrity of the SnO 2 /rGO composite is significantly improved by optimizing the Sn–O–C electronic structure with CTAB, resulting a reversible capacity of 598 mAh g −1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 1 A g −1 . CTAB-assisted synthesis enhances the rate performance and cyclic stability of tin dioxide/graphene composites, and boosts their application as the anode materials for the next-generation lithium-ion batteries.