Core-Shell and Hollow Microspheres Composed of Tin Oxide Nanocrystals as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Polystyrene (PS)/ core-shell microspheres were prepared with alkoxide as precursor and hollow spheres were fabricated by a subsequent calcination process. The influence of the concentration of precursor and the size of the PS templates on morphologies and properties of the microspheres was investigated by transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope observation, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the microspheres were composed of nanocrystals. As anode material, hollow microspheres were assembled into lithium-ion batteries and displayed high activity.