Porous SnO2 nanocubes with controllable pore volume and their Li storage performance

Abstract

In order to optimize the cycling performance of porous SnO₂ nanomaterials, we designed porous SnO₂ nanocubes with controllable pore volume via two strategies by using CaSn(OH)₆ microcubes as templates. The formation mechanism, morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared products were investigated by various techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM and N₂ absorption–desorption analysis. The Li storage performance of the porous SnO₂ nanocubes as anode materials for Li ion batteries was also studied. Results show that SnO₂ nanocubes with an appropriate pore volume exhibited the best Li storage performance. For example, SnO₂ nanocubes prepared by the calcination–dissolution–dissolution strategy with a pore volume of 0.257 cm³ g⁻¹ exhibited a capacity retention up to 85.7% after 40 cycles, while lower or higher than this value resulted in rapid capacity depreciation.