Hybrid aerogel-derived Sn-Ni alloy immobilized within porous carbon/graphene dual matrices for high-performance lithium storage.

Nanoporous networks of tin-based alloys immobilized within carbon matrices possess unique structural and compositional superiorities toward lithium-storage, and are expected to manifest improved strain-accommodation and charge-transport capabilities and thus desirable anodic performance for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a facile and scalable hybrid aerogel-derived thermal-autoreduction route has been developed for the construction of nanoporous network of SnNi alloy immobilized within carbon/graphene dual matrices (SnNi@C/G network). When applied as an anode material for LIBs, the SnNi@C/G network manifests desirable lithium-storage performances in terms of specific capacities, cycle life, and rate capability. The facile aerogel-derived route and desirable Li-storage performance of the SnNi@C/G network facilitate its practical application as a high-capacity, long-life, and high-rate anode material for advanced LIBs.