Graphene-supported SnO(2) nanoparticles prepared by a solvothermal approach for an enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries

SnO(2) nanoparticles were dispersed on graphene nanosheets through a solvothermal approach using ethylene glycol as the solvent. The uniform distribution of SnO(2) nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets has been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The particle size of SnO(2) was determined to be around 5 nm. The as-synthesized SnO(2)/graphene nanocomposite exhibited an enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries, compared with bare graphene nanosheets and bare SnO(2) nanoparticles. The SnO(2)/graphene nanocomposite electrode delivered a reversible lithium storage capacity of 830 mAh g(−1) and a stable cyclability up to 100 cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties of this graphene-supported nanocomposite could be attributed to the insertion of nanoparticles between graphene nanolayers and the optimized nanoparticles distribution on graphene nanosheets.