Nanotin alloys supported by multiwall carbon nanotubes as high-capacity and safer anode materials for EV lithium batteries

Much effort has been expended in the search for new lithium-containing anode materials. Alloy anodes based on tin are known for their high specific capacity and safety characteristics. The theoretical specific capacities of alloy anodes are 2-10 times that of graphite. The second merit of alloy anodes is their moderate operation potential versus lithium. For example, Sn anodes have an onset-voltage potential of 0.6 V above that of Li/Li^+. This moderate potential averts the danger of lithium deposition which is present in the case of graphite anodes (∼0.05 V vs. Li). This study is directed to the synthesis and characterization of nanotin powders supported by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Modified electroless deposition (ELD) was used for the preparation of high-surface area tin-alloy nanosized anodes. In this work, it was found that the use of nanoparticles of tin deposited on multiwall carbon nanotubes, enables prolonged cycling of a tin-composite anode in a lithium-ion battery.