Preparation and electrochemical properties of profiled carbon fiber-supported Sn anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Tin (Sn)-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes are among the most promising alternatives for conventional graphite anodes due to their high specific capacity and safety. The applications of this anode material are restricted by its fast capacity fading during battery operation and its poor rate capacity. In this study, a novel architecture of profiled carbon fiber supported Sn anodes is developed. The profiled carbon fibers have numerous surface grooves where Sn particles are embedded to provide enough capillary channels for rapid lithium-ion transport and enough inter-fiber space for the accommodation of large Sn volume changes on lithium insertion and extraction. This anode architecture is demonstrated by enhanced electrochemical performance. The reversible capacity of 740 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 degrees C after 160 cycles is two times higher than that of the state-of-the-art graphite anode. The simple and applicable synthesis process also provides a new path for designing and preparing carbon fiber-based anode materials with improved electrochemical properties. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.