SnO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanotubes as a large capacity, high rate and long lifetime anode for lithium-ion batteries.

SnO 2 –ZrO 2 composite nanoparticles were embedded in the few-walled carbon nanotubes (FWCNTs) network to synthesise a ternary SnO 2 –ZrO 2 -CNT nanocomposite by the hydrothermal and ball milling methods. The SnO 2 –ZrO 2 composite was uniformly dispersed in the CNT matrix. The CNTs in the composite alleviated the volume expansion during cycling, improved conductivity, and shortened the transmission path of electrons and Li+. Therefore, the SnO 2 –ZrO 2 -CNT composite showed high reversible capacity of 1072.2 mAhg−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 Ag-1 with high initial coulomb efficiency of 77.9% and >98.8% in the following cycles, high-rate capacity of 653.6 mAhg−1 at 5.0 Ag-1, and long-term capacity of 610.7 mAhg−1 at 5.0 Ag-1 after 1000 cycles. Because of its outstanding properties, the SnO 2 –ZrO 2 -CNT nanocomposite is a promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]