Carbon-coated SnO2@carbon nanofibers produced by electrospinning-electrospraying method for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

In this study, carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles were loaded on pure carbon nanofibers ((SnO2@C)/CNFs) by the synchronized electrospinning-electrospraying method and subsequent heat treatment. Compared with SnO2@CNFs composites fabricated by conventional electrospinning method, carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed while attached tightly on CNFs surface with the help of carbon coating. The (SnO2@C)/CNFs composites delivered an outstanding initial discharge capacity of 1425 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g-1 and an initial coulombic efficiency of 63.24%. A reversible capacity of ~500 mAh g-1 was also displayed after 50 cycles. Remarkably, the outstanding electrochemical performance of (SnO2@C)/CNFs composites was ascribed to the cooperative effect of external carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles and unmarred CNFs three-dimensional interconnection networks. Furthermore, this synchronized electrospinning-electrospraying method was simple, efficient and scalable, providing a potential strategy for lithium-ion battery anode material production. •A synchronized electrospinning-electrospraying method was proposed to prepare anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.•An architecture of carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles inlaid in carbon nanofibers.•The architecture of carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles and carbon nanofibers delivered strong strcuture mechanical stability.