Controllable synthesis of monodisperse ultrathin SnO2 nanorods on nitrogen-doped graphene and its ultrahigh lithium storage properties

Monodisperse ultrathin SnO₂ nanorods on nitrogen-doped graphene were firstly synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal strategy. The uniformed composites with high nitrogen content and ultrathin SnO₂ nanorods of 2.5-4.0 nm in diameter and 10-15 nm in length show a high reversible specific capacity, superior rate capability and outstanding cycling stability (803 mA h g⁻¹) as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, owing to the synergistic effect between GS and SnO₂ and nitrogen-doping, which can greatly decrease the energy barrier for Li penetrating the pyridinic defects and improve the electronic structures. This work opens the door to prepare metal oxide/GS-N composites with superior lithium storage properties and engineering of graphene composites for advanced energy storage.