Antimony doping effect on the electrochemical behavior of SnO2 thin film electrodes

Tin dioxide- and antimony-doped tin dioxide thin films were prepared by usi ng a sol-gel technique. Films are homogeneous in composition and morphology and show a remarkable decrease in the grain size (a few nanometers) and re sistivity with doped antimony. Films were tested as potential anodes in lit hium-ion batteries. The best electrochemical performance was obtained from the Li/"5% Sb"SnO2, which provides more than 250 mAh/g during 75 cycles, me anwhile the Li/SnO2 cell capacity fades after a few cycles. Good electroche mical behavior of the doped systems by rapport to the non-doped ones are di scussed in terms of their mechanical and electronic properties. (C) 2001 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.