Flakes-stacked Sn/SnO2/C composite as highly stable anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Although SnO2 is considered as a candidate anode material for lithium ion storage because of high theoretical capacity, it always faces a serious pulverization problem and hence poor cyclic performance. From the perspective of structural mechanics, we have designed and successfully synthesized a flakes-stacked Sn/SnO2/C composite, which can effectively resist the volume expansion stress during charge and discharge. The mechanical mechanism has been studied by using three-dimensional phase-field simulation. The Sn/SnO2/C composite electrode demonstrates a superior lithium ion storage property and cyclic performance. Such flakes-stacked structure can not only show an ability to reduce the mechanical stress, but also increase the contact area with electrolyte. •The flakes-stacked SnO2/C anode composite can effectively resist the volume expansion stress during charge and discharge.•Compared to the SnO2 anode, the as-prepared SnO2/C anode displays a improved electrochemical performance.•The reason for performance improvement has been deeply studied by using three-dimensional phase-field simulation.