Facile synthesis of SnO2-embedded carbon nanomaterials viaglucose-mediated oxidation of Sn particles

Abstract

An unusual oxidative reaction of micron-sized Sn particles to form highly dispersed SnO₂ nanoparticles, embedded in a carbon matrix, during hydrothermal treatment in glucose solution is disclosed in this study. The reaction mechanism is proposed to result from the promotion of glucose decomposition by Sn. The work also discloses a green process with a yield of 5∼10-fold higher than the commonly employed hydrothermal process. The embedded SnO₂ nanoparticles are electrochemically stable for Li storage during the charging–discharging process, which suggests a promised strategy for the stabilization of Sn-based anode materials for Li-ion batteries. It also implies that the unusual oxidative reaction holds great potential for the synthesis of various nano-sized inorganic oxides embedded in carbon matrices to specific applications.