Ultrafast and scalable laser liquid synthesis of tin oxide nanotubes and its application in lithium ion batteries

Zhikun Liu, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Zeyuan Cao, University of Delaware
Biwei Deng, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Yuefeng Wang, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Jiayi Shao, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Prashant Kumar, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
C. Richard Liu, Purdue University
Bingqing Wei, University of Delaware
Gary Cheng, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center

Abstract

Laser-induced photo-chemical synthesis of SnO2 nanotubes has been demonstrated by employing a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane as a template. The SnO2 nanotube diameter can be controlled by the nanoporous template while the nanotube length can be tuned by laser parameters and reaction duration. The microstructure characterization of the nanotubes indicates that they consist of mesoporous structures with sub 5 nm size nanocrystals connected by the twinning structure. The application of SnO2 nanotubes as an anode material in lithium ion batteries has also been explored, and they exhibited high capacity and excellent cyclic stability. The laser based emerging technique for scalable production of crystalline metal oxide nanotubes in a matter of seconds is remarkable. The compliance of the laser based technique with the existing technologies would lead to mass production of novel nanomaterials that would be suitable for several emerging applications.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology