One-step synthesis of SnO2–reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube composites via microwave assistance for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A facile one-step microwave-assisted method was developed to fabricate SnO₂–reduced graphene oxide (RGO)–carbon nanotube (CNT) composites. The as-prepared composites were applied as anode materials for lithium ion batteries and it is found that RGO and CNTs play an important role in the enhancement of the electrochemical performance due to a synergistic effect of SnO₂, RGO and CNTs, in which RGO sheets support SnO₂ nanoparticles and CNTs act as wires conductively connecting the large RGO sheets together. A SnO₂–RGO–CNT composite with 60 wt.% SnO₂ achieves a maximum capacity of 502 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹ and even at a high current density of 1000 mA g⁻¹, a capacity of 344 mA h g⁻¹ is maintained.