ABSTRACT
Tin (Sn) is promising material for the anode of lithium (Li) secondary batteries, because of its higher theoretical capacity than the conventional carbonaceous anodes. However Sn anode deteriorates with charge-discharge cycles due to its large volume change during the cycles. In this chapter, two methodologies with electrochemical process are introduced to overcome this problem. One is alloying with third metal which is not react with Li to suppress the volume change by surrounding Sn with third metal. The other is introduction of mesoporous structure to absorb the outward volume increase at charging: the mesopore could enable inward expansion of Sn during its lithiation. Additionally the introduction of mesoporous structure to electrodes increases the reaction efficiency, resulting in improvement of those rate properties. These findings can be applicable to the other materials like silicon.
