Nanostructured tin for use as a negative electrode material in Li-ion batteries

A series of mesoporous tin samples have been prepared by means of a liquid crystal templating method. TEM images and X-ray diffraction data show the m esoporosity and the scale of the repeat structure. The lithium insertion an d extraction behaviour of liquid crystal templated films were compared with those obtained from non-templating electrolytes. It was found that the tem plated films showed higher extraction capacities, which were attributed to the ability of mesoporous tin to expand and contract with less structural d egradation than nonporous tin. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights re served.