Sonochemical synthesis of SnO₂ nanoparticles and their preliminary study as Li insertion electrodes

SnO₂ semiconductor nanoparticles were synthesized by an ultrasonic irradiation of an aqueous solution of SnCl₄ and azodicarbonamide under ambient air. These nanoparticles are ~3-5 nm in size, as calculated using the Debye-Scherrer formula, and as observed by TEM. The SnO₂ nanoparticles were also characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), reflection spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DSC, and TGA. The band gap was calculated from reflection spectroscopy. Electrochemical tests were performed using the SnO₂ nanoparticles as the electrode's materials in nonaqueous Li salt solutions. The results showed promising reversibility, cycle life and high capacity for lithium insertion into the SnO₂ nanoparticles.