Caging tin oxide in three-dimensional graphene networks for superior volumetric lithium storage

Tin and its compounds hold promise for the development of high-capacity anode materials that could replace graphitic carbon used in current lithium-ion batteries. However, the introduced porosity in current electrode designs to buffer the volume changes of active materials during cycling does not afford high volumetric performance. Here, we show a strategy leveraging a sulfur sacrificial agent for controlled utility of void space in a tin oxide/graphene composite anode. In a typical synthesis using the capillary drying of graphene hydrogels, sulfur is employed with hard tin oxide nanoparticles inside the contraction hydrogels. The resultant graphene-caged tin oxide delivers an ultrahigh volumetric capacity of 2123 mAh cm–3 together with good cycling stability. Our results suggest not only a conversion-type composite anode that allows for good electrochemical characteristics, but also a general synthetic means to engineering the packing density of graphene nanosheets for high energy storage capabilities in small volumes.