Intermetallic SnSbx compounds for lithium insertion hosts

Ultrafine SnSbx (x = 0, 0.23 and 1)powders are examined as host materials f or lithium insertion and extraction. The cycle stability is dependent on th e extent of lithium insertion and the phase composition of the SnSbx alloys . Limited lithium insertion into SnSb phase can prevent its structure rearr angement. SnSb0.23 two-phase alloy shows a better cycle performance than Sn and SnSb single-phase hosts under high lithium utilization. The high irrev ersibility of the metallic hosts at the first cycle can be compensated by a combination of the SnSbx with Li2.6Co0.4N. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.