Design and synthesis of graphene/SnO2/polyacrylamide nanocomposites as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries owing to its large theoretical capacity (1494 mA h g(-1)). However, its practical application is hindered by these problems: the low conductivity, which restricts rate performance of the electrode, and the drastic volume change (400%). In this study, we designed a novel polyacrylamide/SnO2 nanocrystals/graphene gel (PAAm@SnO2NC@GG) structure, in which SnO2 nanocrystals anchored in three-dimensional graphene gel network and the polyacrylamide layers could effectively prevent the agglomeration of SnO2 nanocrystals, presenting excellent cyclability and rate performance. A capacity retention of over 90% after 300 cycles of 376 mA h g(-1) was achieved at a current density of 5 A g(-1). In addition, a stable capacity of about 989 mA h g(-1) at lower current density of 0.2 A g(-1) was achieved.