Preparation and electrochemical characteristics of Sn-C composite materials by carbon-thermal reduction

Sn-C composite materials were prepared by carbon-thermal reduction method from SnO₂ and active carbon in Ar atmosphere at 950°C. The material was characterized by XRD and SEM. Electrochemical lithium insertion/emersion character of the material was determined by the constant current charge-discharge and the slow scan cyclic voltammetry methods. The results of XRD and SEM show that SnO₂ is reduced to metallic Sn by carbon-thermal reduction method and its Crystal size is around 42.8 nm. The initial lithium insertion/emersion special capacities of the material can reach to 1024.9mAh/g and 632.8mAh/g respectively. And emersion special capacities is 395.9mAh/g after 15cycles.