Sn02 -Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites via Microwave Route as Anode for Sodium-Ion Battery

Abstract

Sn0 2-reduced graphene oxide ( SnO z-rGO) nanocomposites are successfully synthesized via a rapid microwave-as s isted method ( within 150 s). Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) and transmis s ion e lectron microscopy (TEM ) obse rvations s how the ultrafine Sn02 nanoparticle s (~ 3 nm ) are uniforml y anchored onto the rGO. Th e typical Sn02-rGO exhibits a high initial re- versible capacity of 260 mAh g - at 50 mA g- 1, which is higher than that (45 mAh g - 1) of th e bar e Sn0 2 electrode. The Sn0 2-rGO electrode also s hows high cycling stability (79 .6% capacity ret e ntion after 100 cycles) and rate capability (150 rnAh g - 1 at 500 mA g- 1). The improved electrochemical per- formance of the Sn0 2-rGO is ascribed to extremely tiny Sn02 nanoparticle s well distributed on the s urface of the rGO and th e conductiv e frameworks provided by rGO, so as to alleviate the aggregation of Sn0 2 and buffer the volumetric change during charging and discharging