A long-cycling anode based on a coral-like Sn nanostructure with a binary binder

A coral-like metallic Sn nanostructure was synthesized towards an advanced Li-ion battery anode via a facile one-pot displacement reaction. In the presence of 5 wt% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and 5 wt% graphene oxide as a binary binder, the electrode demonstrates extraordinary Li storage behaviors in terms of high initial coulombic efficiency (68.7%), long-cycling life (800 cycles with a retention capacity of 422 mA h g^-1 at 500 mA g^-1), and superb rate capability. The fascinating electrochemical performance could be attributed to the 3D interconnected nanostructure together with the binary binder to ease the volume expansion of Sn.