Embedding ultrafine ZnSnO nanoparticles into reduced graphene oxide composites as high-performance electrodes for lithium ion batteries.

Ultrafine ZnSnO nanoparticles, with an average diameter of 45 nm, homogeneously grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been successfully fabricated via methods of low temperature coprecipitation, colloid electrostatic self-assembly, and hydrothermal treatment. The uniformly distributed ZnSnO nanocrystals could inhibit the restacking of rGO sheets. In turn, the existence of rGO could hinder the growth and aggregation of ZnSnO nanoparticles in the synthesis process, increase the conductivity of the composite, and buffer the volume expansion of the ZnSnO nanocrystals upon lithium ion insertion and extraction. The obtained ZnSnO/rGO exhibited superior cycling stability with a discharge/charge capacity of 718/696 mA h g after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g.