Plasma-polymerized C60 as a functionalized coating layer on fluorine-doped tin oxides for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

A unique polymerized C60 thin film was functionalized by radio frequency – plasma-assisted thermal evaporation as a passivation layer for the fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO2:F) anode of a lithium-ion battery. The plasma-polymerized C60 coated SnO2:F anode exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 1255 mAh g−1 at 0.15 mA cm−2 and increased coulombic efficiency of 98%. These electrochemical improvements were due to the polymerized C60 coating layer, which enhanced the transport of lithium ions on the surface of the active material and mechanically stabilized the anode material during electrochemical cycling.