Rod-like hierarchical Sn/SnOx@C nanostructures with enhanced lithium storage properties

Rod-like hierarchical Sn/SnOx@C nanostructures have been designed and synthesized via calcining resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin coated Sn-based metal-organic frameworks. The rod-like hierarchical Sn/SnOx@C nanostructures are made of a great number of carbon-wrapped primary Sn/SnOx nanospheres of 100–200 nm in diameter. The as-prepared hierarchical Sn/SnOx@C nanocomposite manifests a high initial reversible capacity of 1177 mAh g−1 and remains 1001 mAh g−1 after 240 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g−1. It delivers outstanding high-rate performance with a reversible capacity of 823 mAh g−1 even at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1. The enhanced electrochemical performances of the Sn/SnOx@C electrode are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of the unique hierarchical micro/nanostructures and the protective carbon layer.