Core–shell carbon-coated Cu6Sn5 prepared by in situpolymerization as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A core–shell-structure carbon-coated nanoscale Cu₆Sn₅ is prepared by using an in situpolymerization method integrated with a surface modification technology. The composite combines the merits of intermetallic compounds and nano-sized anode materials, and exhibits an excellent cycling stability. The improvement in the cycling stability could be attributed to the fact that the well-coated carbon layer can effectively prevent the encapsulated low melting point alloy from out-flowing in a high-temperature treatment process, as well as preventing aggregation and pulverization of nano-sized Cu₆Sn₅ alloy particles during charge/discharge cycling.