Preparation and characterization of binary and ternary tin-based alloy powders for lithium ion battery

Abstract

Binary and ternary Sn-based alloy powders were successfully prepared by chemical reduction method. The physical properties of the alloy powders were determined by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and nitrogen adsorption method. From the X-ray diffractogram showed that introduction of high concentration of third elements (Mn and Fe) caused the peaks to become more distinct as compared to the binary alloys. Increasing stirring time decreased the crystallite size as calculated using Scherrer's equation. Analysis by using FESEM showed that high composition of third element in Sn-Co system gave spheroid particles in the range of 36.4 to 73.5 nm. Elemental analysis of ternary Sn-based alloy powders synthesized by chemical reduction method was studied using EDX showed the existence of each elements used in the binary and ternary alloy powders. Binary and ternary Sn-based alloy powders showed similar trends for all cycles in charge/discharge test. The first cycle exhibits higher discharge capacity compared to the second and third cycles. Large difference between the experimental and the theoretical values in alloy powders may be due to the formation of solid electrolyte interphase, irreversible Li trapping during charging process and disintegration of the electrode.