Characterization of SnO₂/Ni/SiO₂-MCP anode in three-dimensional lithium-ion battery

By combining a SnO₂ thin film with silicon dioxide microchannel plate (SiO₂-MCP), a three-dimensional (3D) structure with enough space to accommodate the volume change of SnO₂ during charging-discharging is produced by MEMS and electroless deposition. Owing to the special structure of the MCP, the battery is able to deliver a reversible Li storage capacity of 408 mAhg^-1 after 100 cycles. If the current density is reduced to 200 mAg^-1 at a constant current during charging and discharging, the battery exhibits reversible capacities of 1575 and 996 mAhg^-1 in the first discharging and charging cycle, respectively. However, a reversible Li-storage capacity of only 298 mAhg⁻¹ is obtained after 50 cycles of deep charging at a current of 200 mAg⁻¹. It is found that silicon is involved in the charging-discharging process at a low current.