The Emeraldine salt PANI/SnO₂ nanocomposite anode materials for sodium-ion batteries with enhanced initial coulombic efficiency

Tin oxide is promising candidate as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. High volume change and the low electrical conductivity of SnO₂ material during sodiation and de-sodiation affect negatively the electrochemical performance of sodium-ion batteries. Instead of their traditional carbon composites, the Emeraldine salt PANI/SnO₂ nanocomposite to alleviate the high volume change (pulverization) and improve conductivity of SnO₂ material is synthesized with an emulsion polymerization method by in situ polymerization of aniline on the SnO₂ surface. The the Emeraldine salt PANI not only exhibits high flexibility to alleviate the high volume change of SnO₂ nanoparticles, but also enhances the conductivity of electrons and sodium ions. Furthermore, the Emeraldine salt PANI coating enhanced the coulombic efficiency of SnO₂ electrode. Therefore, Emeraldine salt Polyaniline coating is a promising buffer material for relieving a high volume change and enhancing coulombic efficiency, especially in the first cycle, and anode durability with the high electrochemical performance for sodium-ion batteries.