Preparation of Mn2SnO4 nanoparticles as the anode material for lithium secondary battery

The ultrafine Mn2SnO4 nanoparticles with diameters of 5–10 nm have been prepared by thermal decomposition of precursor MnSn(OH)6. The MnSn(OH)6 nanoparticles precursor was synthesized by a hydrothermal microemulsion method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction have been employed to characterize the crystal structures and morphologies of the as-prepared samples. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the as-synthesized nanoparticles were single crystals. The thermal characterization was studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry analysis measurements. Electrochemical test showed that the Mn2SnO4 nanoparticles exhibited a high initial charge–discharge capacity of 1320 mAh/g.