Low temperature molten salt synthesis of Y2Sn2O7 anode material for lithium ion batteries

For the first time, yttrium tin oxide (Y2Sn2O7) compound is prepared at low temperature (400 degrees C) with cubic pyrochlore structure via molten salt method using KOH as a flux for their electrochemical applications. The final product is reheated at three different temperatures of 600, 800 and 1000 degrees C for 6 h in air, are physically and chemically characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical studies of galvanostatic cycling (GC), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Galvanostatic cycling of Y2Sn2O7 compounds are carried out with three different current densities of 60, 100 and 250 mA g(-1) and the potential range of 0.005-1.0 V vs. Li. The EIS is carried out to study the electrode kinetics during discharge and charge at various voltages and corresponding variation of resistance and capacitance values are discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.