Sn-based nanomaterials: From composition and structural design to their electrochemical performances for Li- and Na-ion batteries

Tin-based anode materials, including metallic Sn, tin oxides and tin sulfides, have encountered increasing interest owing to their high theoretical capacities, natural abundance, and suitable operating voltages, as well as their dual applicability for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs). However, severe volume variation and inferior reaction kinetics during insertion/deinsertion of lithium or sodium in the charging/discharging processes leads to seriously structural deterioration, capacity fading and poor rate capacity, which have impeded their practical application. To circumvent these issues, various innovative strategies including decreasing the dimensions into nanoscale, constructing composites or herterstructrue and creating voids have been developed. This review aims to highlight the recent advances in the composition and structural design of tin-based anodes for LIBs and SIBs. To organize the progress more systematically, this review is divided into three parts: Sn metal, tin oxides and tin sulfides-based anodes. In each section, the electrochemical reaction mechanism for both LIBs and SIBs, various synthesis strategies involving morphology manipulation, structure and composition control, along with the structure-performance relationship are discussed in detail. Finally, the emerging challenges and perspectives on Sn-based anodes are stressed.