SnO2/PANI nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Tin oxide (SnO 2 ) nanostructures and SnO 2 /Polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites to be used as electrode materials for a lithium ion battery were synthesized using a solution-route technique with chelating agents followed by calcination at 300∘C for 4 h. Structural and morphological properties were studied with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Particles of 25-10 nm size are observed in the microscope images. TGA results showed that the PANI-modified SnO 2 nanoparticles exhibit higher thermal stability than the SnO 2 nanoparticles. Electrochemical properties of SnO 2 and SnO 2 /PANI electrodes were examined in a lithium ion battery and a supercapacitor. The electrode of SnO 2 /PANI shows higher specific capacity. The cell with SnO 2 /PANI exhibits a specific capacity of 1450 mAh/g at C/10. Supercapacitor results indicate that the PANI-modified SnO 2 composite had a higher current with apparent cathodic and anodic peaks.