Fabrication of Sn/SnO2 composite powder for anode of lithium ion battery by aerosol flame deposition

Crystalline SnO2 and Sn/SnO2 composite nano-powder were synthesized by aerosol flame deposition (AFD) method employing an oxy-hydrogen flame torch and a heated deposition turn-table. The aqueous precursor solution of the tin (IV) chloride and methyl alcohol was atomized with an ultrasonic nebulizer and subsequently carried into the central tube of the torch by flowing dry Ar gas. SnO2 were formed by oxy-hydrogen flame and deposited on a substrate placed in a heating stage. To produce Sn metal particles and control the ratio of Sn/SnO2, as-synthesized SnO2 were heat-treated under 5% H2 and 95% Ar mixed gas atmosphere at a temperature of 150 °C for 3 h, and then at 600 °C for 1–4 h. The average particle size of as-synthesized SnO2 was in the range 5–15 nm and that of Sn/SnO2 composite powder was slightly grown to 20–90 nm depending on the heat treatment temperature. The analysis on morphology, crystalline phases, and chemical state of Sn revealed that AFD method is one of the favorable approaches to produce nano-sized Sn/SnO2 composite powder with good morphology, size distribution, and well-controlled Sn/SnO2 ratio.