Graphene supported Zn₂SnO₄ nanoflowers with superior electrochemical performance as lithium-ion battery anode

A hydrothermal synthesis approach has been developed to distribute the Zn₂SnO₄ nanoflowers on the graphene sheets (GNS). The as-prepared Zn₂SnO₄ nanoflowers/GNS composites were characterized by XRD, BET, FTIR, Raman, TGA, SEM, TEM and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the Zn₂SnO₄ nanoflowers have particular 3-D structure and homogeneously adhere on graphene sheets. Electrochemical measurements suggest that Zn₂SnO₄ nanoflowers/GNS composites exhibit better cycling properties and lower initial irreversible capacities as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Galvanostatic cycling shows 1967 mAh g^-1 of initial discharge capacity and 1087 mAh g^-1 of initial charge capacity. A higher reversible capacity of 850 mAh g^-1 is obtained after 10 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g^-1. The higher reversible capacity and good stability can be ascribed to the presence of graphene.