Hydrothermal synthesis of flower-like Zn2SnO4 composites and their performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Flower-like Zn2SnO4 composites had been prepared through a green hydrothermal synthesis. The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties were investigated by means of XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, and electrochemical measurement. The results show that the as-prepared sample is in high purity phase and of good crystallinity; meanwhile it has a particular 3-D structure and large surface area. Electrochemical measurement suggests that flower-like Zn2SnO4 composites exhibit better cycling properties and lower initial irreversible capacities than the solid Zn2SnO4 cubes. The first discharge and charge capacities of the material are 1750 mA h g−1 and 880 mA h g−1 respectively. A higher reversible capacity of 501 mA h g−1 was obtained after 50 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g−1. The higher reversible capacity and good stability can be related to the special nanostructural features of the material. Such Zn2SnO4 structures synthesized by the simple and cheap method are expected to have potential application in energy storage.