SnO/FeO nano-heterojunction structure composites as an anode for lithium-ion battery

SnO/FeO composites with a novel heterojunction nanostructure are successfully prepared via a facile two-step hydrothermal method. FeO nanoparticles with an average size of ~ 15 nm are found to attach onto the surface of SnO nanosheets with the diameter about 300 nm. The reversible capacity, cycling stability, and rate performance of the as-prepared nanocomposites are significantly improved compared with SnO or FeO, which may be due to the synergistic effect between SnO nanosheets and FeO nanoparticles. Therefore, as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, SnO/FeO nanocomposites deliver a high initial discharge and reversible capacity of 2174.9 mAh g and 1022 mAh g at the current density of 100 mA g and after 100 cycles, respectively. Even at the current density of 1000 mA g, the reversible capacity can still keep at 683 mAh g after 100 cycles, which might be a good candidate for high-performance lithium ion batteries.