LAUSR

Abstract Tin oxide aerogels with different textural structures were obtained using epoxide-initiated gelation of a tin precursor and two different gel drying methods, i.e., ambient pressure drying (APD) and supercritical extraction (SCE) processes. The pore diameters of the tin oxide aerogels synthesized by the APD and SCE methods were 11.3 and 25.3 nm, respectively. Tin oxide aerogels with smaller pore sizes and larger specific surface areas as well as slightly smaller pore volumes and porosities were obtained by the APD process. Different retention properties were observed for the anode materials prepared by APD and SCE, (71.8% and 10.9% after 80 cycles, respectively). This study revealed a relationship between the pore structure of the metal oxide anode material and its cyclability in Li-ion batteries, with metal oxide aerogels with small pore sizes and large specific surface areas showing greatly improved cycling stability in Li-ion battery applications owing to enhanced stability of the pore structure.