Gentle Self-Assembled Freeze-Thaw Synthesis of Graphene/Sno2 Composite Aerogel for Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes

Abstract

The formation of nanostructured active materials and their integration with carbon-based matrices has proven to markedly boost electrochemical performance. A straightforward and economical technique for crafting these high-efficiency materials is highly desirable. We report a three-dimensional graphene aerogel composite uniformly decorated with SnO2 nanoparticles through a facile mild self-assembly freeze-thaw strategy. Compared with conventional hydrothermally synthesized agglomerated SnO2, the rationally designed composite architecture demonstrates enhanced ion/electron transport kinetics and superior electrochemical performance. The electrode exhibits remarkable rate capability and long-term cycling stability, delivering a reversible capacity of 146 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 2 A g−1. Particularly, it maintains a stable discharge capacity of 302.5 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.1 A g−1, highlighting its potential as a high-performance anode material for advanced energy storage applications. And the preparation method described is expected to supplant the traditional hydrothermal approach and emerge as the preferred technique for the large-scale preparation of SnO2/GO composite materials.

Keywords: SnO2, graphene aerogel, mild self-assembly freeze-thaw, Sodium-ion batteries