Fabrication of Sn-Ni/MWCNT composite coating for Li-ion batteries by pulse electrodeposition: Effects of duty cycle

Nanocrystalline Sn-Ni/MWCNT composite was prepared by ultrasonic-pulse electrodeposition on a copper substrate in a pyrophosphate bath at different duty cycles. Surface morphology of produced Sn-Ni/MWCNT composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was conducted to understand the elemental surface composition of composites. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was carried out to investigate structure of Sn-Ni/MWCNT composites. The electrochemical performance of Sn-Ni/MWCNT composite electrodes were investigated by charge/discharge tests and cyclic voltammetric experiments. The cells discharge capacities were determined by cyclic testing by a battery tester at a constant current in voltage range between 0.02 V and 1.5 V. The duty cycle was shown to be a crucial factor to improve Sn-Ni/MWCNT composite anodes for cyclability and reversible capacity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.