Tin-based alloy anodes for lithium ion batteries

The recent advance of tin-based alloy as candidate anodes for secondary lithium batteries is reviewed in this paper. The structure, electrochemical performances, preparation and reaction mechanisms of tin-based alloys and their composites are summarized. The advantages and shortages of these materials are analyzed and the solutions to improve their performance are suggested, such as adopting nano-scale particle structures with scatter configuration, utilizing amorphous alloys or controlling the change of structure conformation. The multiphase tin-based lithium alloy composites anodes for Li-ion batteries are proposed to be the most promising alternative anode materials.