Abstract

A high performance rechargeable lithium ion battery with long cycle life and human

safety is greatly required with the rapid development of information devices such as portable

video camera and cell phones. Rechargeable lithium ion battery is the most energy dense and

lightest of all the competing battery types. The energy density of a battery mainly depends on

the electronic structure of the negative and positive electrode materials. Carbon based

materials are currently used as anode materials due to their stable charge-discharge plateaus

and excellent cyclability. However, their theoretical capacity limits to 372 mAhg-1,

corresponding to the formation of LiC6, curtails the ceiling of utility. In order to enhance the

energy density of lithium-ion secondary batteries, various new anode materials have been

proposed. Hence, many reports are seen on the suitable alternative anode materials like SnCu,

SnNi, Si3Ni4 and SnAl etc. Alloy based anode materials like SnSb and Si-SnSb are

considered as the best anodes for rechargeable lithium ion batteries as an alternate for the

presently employed anodes, since they possess high energy density and high lithium storage

capacity.

On the other hand, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have also been extensively investigated

as a nanoscale framework material for much potential applications because of their structure,

physical and chemical properties, extraordinary thermal stability and high electronic

conductivity. Therefore, this thesis contributes to this goal by developing new anode

materials and novel synthesis techniques for the application in advanced rechargeable lithium

batteries. The synthesized compounds are analyzed using various techniques and presented as

seven chapters. The brief outlines of the work presented in different chapters are given below.

Chapter I begins with the basic introduction on the principles of lithium ion batteries.

The different types of battery technology available in the market and the advanced materials
for lithium ion battery are discussed. The brief review on different anode materials for

lithium ion battery and a detailed review on anode materials under present study are made.

Chapter II deals with the different characterization techniques used in the present

study. The experimental procedures for all the systems are explained.

Chapter III describes the details of the different compositions of SnxSby and SnxSby-

CNT (x=2-5, y=3-6) systems prepared by reductive co-precipitation method. The prepared

systems are characterized by structural, morphological, optical, electrical and thermal

techniques.

Chapter IV deals with the different compositions of (Si-Sn)x Sby and (Si-Sn)xSby-

CNT (x=2-5, y=3-6) systems are explained. The prepared systems are characterized by

structural, morphological, optical, electrical and thermal techniques and are discussed in

detail.

Chapter V deals with the SnxSby:Fe, SnxSby:Co and SnxSby:Ni (x=2, y=3) systems.

The prepared systems are characterized by structural, morphological, optical, electrical and

thermal techniques and are discussed in detail. The effects of doping on SnxSby are studied

and discussed.

Chapter VI describes the interfacial effect between SnxSby (x=2, y=3) and Lithium

Lanthanum Titanate (LLTO) with three different proportions at three different sintering

temperatures. Also the structural, morphological, optical, electrical and thermal

characterizations are analyzed. The observed formation of LiSn alloy at three different

stoichiometries is a highly favourable one for using SnSb as an anode.

Chapter VII deals with the concluding remarks and the scope for the future work.
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, CONSTANTS AND SYMBOLS

Abbreviations

SnCl2 Tin Chloride

SbCl3 Antimony Chloride
SiCl4 Silicon Chloride
FeCl2 Iron Chloride
CoCl2 Cobalt Chloride
NiCl2 Nickel Chloride
C6H5Na3O7 Sodium Citrate
NaOH Sodium Hydroxide
NaBH4 Sodium Boro-Hydride
HCL Hydro Chloric Acid
C6H5CHO Acetone
CNT Carbon Nanotube
LLTO Lithium Lathanum Titanate
XRD X-ray Diffraction
SEM Scanning Electron Microscope
EDX Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis
FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
FWHM Full Width Half Maximum
PL Photoluminescence
PLE Photoluminescence Emission
DSC Differential Scanning Calorimetry
TG/DTA Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis
CPE Constant Phase Element
VSM Vibrating Sample Magnetometer
Constants, Symbols and Units

Θ Diffraction Angle
a.u Arbitrary Unit
d Lattice Spacing (nm)
e Electron
g Gram
h Hour
Kg Kilogram
R Resistance (Ω)
wt % Weight Percentage
Z Impedance (Ω)
Ω Ohm
σ Ionic Conductivity
λ Wavelength (nm)
µm Micrometer
ω Angular Frequency
Hz Hertz
K Kelvin
°C Degree Celsius
-1
Scm Siemen per Centimetre
emu Electromagnetic Unit
Hc Coercivity (Oe)
Ms Saturation Magnetization (emu/g)