A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of SiO2 nanotubes with stable structure and controlled aspect ratios for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

Materials with nanotubular structure have attracted wide attention in electrochemical energy storage due to their good structural stability, high specific surface area, and internal and external wall activity. Here, we report a simple and efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of SiO2 nanotubes with controlled aspect ratios. The influence of parameters, such as the monomer concentration and reaction time on the aspect ratio, were inspected systematically. The results confirmed that the aspect ratio of SiO2 nanotubes increases with the reaction time before tetraethyl orthosilicate is added, and the length of SiO2 nanotubes can also be altered by tuning the hydrazine hydrate/NiCl2 ratio. The SiO2 nanotubes as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 625.5 mAh g(-1) and maintained 232.5 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 40 mA/g, which is 75.7% relative to the second cycle, showing good electrochemical performance.