Im, Jong Min Lim, Hyojun Kim, Hyunjin Kang, Yun Chan Hwa, Yoon Kim, Sang-Ok 2025-03-22T15:30:30Z 2025-03-22T15:30:30Z 2025-03-19 2025-02 2050-7488 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/152047 Bimetallic SnSb has significantly attracted attention as a Na-ion battery (SIB) anode owing to its higher theoretical capacity of 752 mA h g-1 compared to conventional hard carbon anodes. However, practical applications are hindered by substantial volume changes during sodiation/desodiation. Herein, a SnSb-based heterostructured anode (SnSb@C-SiOC) with high SnSb content (similar to 85%) is developed via two-step pyrolysis using SnSbOx@polydopamine precursors dispersed in silicone oil. The resulting SnSb yolk nanoparticles, encapsulated within a multi-functional C-SiOC bi-layered shell, facilitate rapid Na-ion transport and provide effective volume buffering during cycling for efficient electrochemical reactions and enhanced structural integrity. Post-mortem analyses reveal reversible crystalline phase transformations of SnSb with uniform elemental distributions, demonstrating the effectiveness of bi-layered shells. With superior mechanical robustness of the heterostructure confirmed by nanoindentation, the SnSb@C-SiOC anode delivers a high capacity of 445.6 mA h g-1 after 250 cycles at 2 A g-1, retaining 87.9% of its initial capacity and greatly outperforming pure SnSb. Additionally, a full cell combining the anode with a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode shows promising cycle and rate performances, suggesting potential for practical applications. This study presents a viable approach for developing durable and efficient anode materials to advance SIBs and provide next-generation energy storage systems. English Royal Society of Chemistry Rational design for enhanced mechanical and kinetic properties of SnSb-based yolk-shell heterostructure as long cycle-life, high-rate Na-ion battery anode Article 10.1039/d4ta08119f 1 Journal of Materials Chemistry A, v.13, no.8, pp.5777 - 5788 Journal of Materials Chemistry A 13 8 5777 5788 Y scie scopus 001406803500001 2-s2.0-85216272152 Chemistry, Physical Energy & Fuels Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Energy & Fuels Materials Science Article HIGH-PERFORMANCE ANODE HIGH-RATE CAPABILITY CARBON MICROSPHERES STABLE ANODE COMPOSITE CAPACITY OXIDE