Enhanced Structural and Electrochemical Stability of Self-Similar Rice-Shaped SnO₂ Nanoparticles

A facile one-pot hydrothermal strategy is applied to prepare Co and F codoped SnO₂ (Co-F/SnO₂) nanoparticles, which exhibit a unique rice-shaped self-similar structure. Compared with the pristine and Co-doped counterparts (SnO₂ and Co/SnO₂), the Co-F/SnO₂ electrode demonstrates higher capacity, better cyclability, and rate capability as anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). A high charge capacity of 800 mAh g^-1 can be successfully delivered after 50 cycles at 0.1 C, and a high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g^-1 could be retained after 100 cycles at 5 C. The excellent lithium storage performances of the Co-F/SnO₂ nanoparticles could be attributed to the synergetic effects of the doped Co and F, as well as the unique hierarchical self-similar structure with moderate oxygen defect and inactive pillars, which not only facilitates the fast diffusion of Li ions, but also stabilizes the structure during the electrochemical cycling.