Antimony doping effect on the electrochemical behavior of SnO2 thin film electrodes

Tin dioxide- and antimony-doped tin dioxide thin films were prepared by using a sol–gel technique. Films are homogeneous in composition and morphology and show a remarkable decrease in the grain size (a few nanometers) and resistivity with doped antimony. Films were tested as potential anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The best electrochemical performance was obtained from the Li/“5% Sb”SnO2, which provides more than 250 mAh/g during 75 cycles, meanwhile the Li/SnO2 cell capacity fades after a few cycles. Good electrochemical behavior of the doped systems by rapport to the non-doped ones are discussed in terms of their mechanical and electronic properties.