Preparation of tin-filled carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles by molten salt electrolysis

This article presents a molten salt electrolytic method of synthesizing tin-filled carbon nanostructures, in which a melt of LiCl with an addition of SnCl2 is electrolyzed between two graphite electrodes. In this process, Li intercalates into the cathodically polarized graphite while Sn is deposited onto the graphite surface. The Li intercalation causes the release of graphitic layers from the graphite, which enclose the Sn deposits, to form Sn-filled MWCNTs and carbon nanoparticles. By reversing the polarity of the graphite electrodes at regular intervals during electrolysis, the process can be extended substantially until the electrodes have been completely consumed, suggesting its suitability for production at a larger scale.