Sonochemistry-enabled uniform coupling of SnO nanocrystals with graphene sheets as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

SnO/graphene nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by a facile sonochemical method from SnCl and graphene oxide (GO) precursors. In the sonochemical process, the Sn is firstly dispersed homogeneously on the GO surface, then oxidized to SnO nanoparticles on both sides of the graphene nanosheets (RGO) obtained by the reduction of GO under continuous ultrasonication. Graphene not only provides a mechanical support to alleviate the volume changes of the SnO anode and prevent nanoparticle agglomeration, but also serves as a conductive network to facilitate charge transfer and Li diffusion. When used as a lithium ion battery (LIB) anode, the SnO/graphene nanocomposite exhibits significantly improved specific capacity (1610 mA h g at 100 mA g), good cycling stability (retaining 87% after 100 cycles), and competitive rate performance (273 mA h g at 500 mA g) compared to those of bare SnO. This sonochemical method can be also applied to the synthesis of other metal-oxide/graphene composites and this work provides a large-scale preparation route for the practical application of SnO in lithium ion batteries.