Si/SnSb alloy composite as high capacity anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Microscaled Si/SnSb alloy composite was synthesized from micron Si and oxides of Sn and Sb by carbothermal reaction method. The synthesized Si/SnSb composite electrode exhibits a high specific capacity and a good cycling stability due to its relatively large particle size and multiphase characteristics. The former reason leads to lower surface impurity and thus the lower initial capacity loss, while the latter results in a stepwise lithiation/delithiation process and a smooth volume change of electrode in cycles. Si/SnSb composite shows an initial inertia against the electrochemical reactions, but it becomes more active quickly in the following cycles. A specific capacity of 1017 mAh g(-1) with an initial capacity loss of 120 mAh g(-1) was achieved for the synthesized Si/SnSb composite. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.