Electrochemical properties of SnO2 nanowires prepared by a simple heat treatment of Sn-Ag alloys

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) SnO2 nanowires were synthesized by a simple heat treatment of Sn¿Ag alloys. The presence of Ag in the alloy and a small amount of impurity oxygen in an inert gas played an important role in the growth of SnO2 nanowires. The oxygen content higher than 1 vol.% in the gas resulted in the formation of fine spherical powders. The Li storage property of nano-sized SnO2 for the spherical and 1D SnO2 was evaluated from the lithium intercalation process in a Li-ion cell. The SnO2 nanowires exhibited a better electrochemical performance as an anode than the spherical powders.