Novel tin oxide-based anodes for Li-ion batteries

Three new possible Li-ion battery negative electrode materials, ZnO, ZnO:Sn O2 ball-milled mixture and Zn2SnO4, were prepared, and tested electrochemic ally. These new materials have smaller capacities than SnO2, but still show reversible capacities around 500 mA h g(-1). The charge and discharge prof iles of all the materials are similar, with potentials close to that of the Li+/Li(m) couple. A large loss of capacity between the initial and the lat er cycles, is observed similar to the tin oxides, due to the required reduc tion of the tin and zinc ions to the bulk metal. These materials do show so me promise as Li-ion battery anodes due to their large reversible lithium c apacity at low potentials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.