SnO2@Si core–shell nanowire arrays on carbon cloth as a flexible anode for Li ion batteries

In this communication, 3D hierarchical SnO2@Si nanowire arrays on carbon cloth are synthesized by a combination of the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method for SnO2 nanowires and a subsequent Si thin film coating with a plasma-enhanced CVD (PE-CVD) route. The as-prepared SnO2@Si nanowire arrays are further tested as a flexible and binder-free anode for Li ion batteries. A high areal capacity (e.g. 2.13 mA h cm−2 at a current density of 0.38 mA cm−2) and good cycling performance are demonstrated for the core–shell SnO2@Si nanowire/carbon cloth electrode, which could be attributed to the 3D structural design and a synergistic effect between Si and SnO2.