SnO2 Nanorod Arrays Grown on Carbon Cloth as a Flexible Binder-Free Electrode for High-Performance Lithium Batteries
In this study, SnO2 nanorod arrays have been successfully fabricated on carbon cloth (SnO2 NRAs/CC) through a facile hydrothermal method. According to scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, we can see that SnO2 NRAs are uniformly coated on the CC. Compared to pure SnO2, the SnO2 NRAs/CC exhibited improved electrochemical performance. The SnO2 NRAs/CC electrode can deliver the discharge capacities of 1.78 mAh/cm2 after 100 cycles, retaining 60.9% of the initial capacity. However, for pure SnO2 electrode, only 4.3% (0.11 mAh/cm2) of the initial capacity is maintained after 50 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the SnO2 NRAs/CC should be attributed to the synergistic effect of SnO2 NRAs and the flexible substrate. The arrangement of SnO2 NRAs anchored on the CC could accelerate the transfer of electrons and lithium ions. Moreover, due to the good mechanical properties of CC, the pulverization of SnO2 induced by the intense volume change during charging and discharging cycles can be effectively relieved.