Synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of Sn–Sb–Ni alloy composite anode for Li-ion rechargeable batteries

Micro-scaled Sn–Sb–Ni alloy composite was synthesized from oxides of Sn, Sb and Ni via carbothermal reduction. The phase composition and electrochemical properties of the Sn–Sb–Ni alloy composite anode material were studied. The prepared alloy composite electrode exhibits a high specific capacity and a good cycling stability. The lithiation capacity was 530 mAh g−1 in the first cycle and maintained at 370–380 mAh g−1 in the following cycles. The good electrochemical performance may be attributed to its relatively large particle size and multi-phase characteristics. The former reason leads to the lower surface impurity and thus the lower initial capacity loss, while the latter results in a stepwise lithiation/delithiation behavior and a smooth volume change of electrode in cycles. The Sn–Sb–Ni alloy composite material shows a good candidate anode material for the rechargeable lithium ion batteries.