Cotton/rGO/carbon-coated SnO₂ nanoparticle-composites as superior anode for Lithium ion battery

The three-dimensional carbonized cotton framework covered by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was uniformly decorated by the SnO₂ nanoparticles encapsulated by a layer of the amorphous carbon and was directly used in the anode materials for the lithium ion battery. The carbonized frameworks covered by rGO are interconnected and the pores are enriched, facilitating the diffusion of electron and releasing the strain of lithium ions insertion and extraction. The rGO sheets with better mechanical and foldable characterization increase the conductive and buffer the electrode expansion during the cycling process. Furthermore, the amorphous carbon coating effectively prevents the direct contact between the SnO₂ nanoparticles and the electrolyte, which can format a stable solid electrolyte interphase and greatly reduce the irreversible reaction. As a result, the capacity of composite is as high as 496.3 mAh g^{− 1} (1.72 mAh cm^{− 2}) after 200 cycles at current density of 100 mA g^{− 1}, which means that the product as free-standing and binder-free electrode exhibits the stable cycle performance and will be a promising material for the application of lithium ion battery.