A novel nano-Sn particle/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) core–shell hierarchical composite as high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries

A novel nano-Sn particle/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) core–shell hierarchical composite (nano-Sn/PEDOT:PSS/PVA CSHC) was fabricated for the first time and evaluated as a high-performance anode material in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The core–shell hierarchical structure of the composite was revealed by field-emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope; the components of the composite were investigated by X-ray diffraction and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the nano-Sn particle content in the composite was obtained by thermogravimetric analysis and the electrochemical performance was studied by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. When used as LIB anode material, the nano-Sn/PEDOT:PSS/PVA CSHC electrode exhibited high reversible capacity (568 mA h g −1 after 100 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 100 mA g −1 ), superior cycling stability (capacity retention of 66.0 % after 100 cycles), good rate performance (143 mA h g −1 at 1500 mA g −1 ) and low charge transfer resistance compared to pristine nano-Sn particle and nano-Sn/PEDOT:PSS composite electrodes. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the core–shell hierarchical structure. The results show that the nano-Sn/PEDOT:PSS/PVA CSHC is a promising anode candidate for next-generation LIBs.