Abstract #535, 218th ECS Meeting, © 2010 The Electrochemical Society

Tin Nanowires for High Power Lithium Ion Battery

Xingcheng Xiao1, Anil K. Sachdev1, Daad Haddad2

1 GeneralMotors Global R & D center, Warren, MI, 48098,
2Meda Engineering and Technical Services, LLC, South Field, MI 48075,

Abstract
Applying the lithium ion battery in electric vehicles requires novel materials that can
provide high energy density, high power density and long lifetime. Nanostructured
materials have shown promising properties in terms of high charge rate, the retention of
high capacity and excellent cyclability. A simple approach to synthesize tin (Sn)
nanowires from SiSn composite films is demonstrated in this talk. SiSn nanocomposite
thin films were first co-deposited in a combinatorial magnetron sputtering system, and
were then heated to cause extrusion of Sn nanowires from these films. The as-deposited
films contained nano-sized islands of Sn phase separated in an amorphous Si matrix.
Upon heating, compressive stresses generated due to the thermal expansion mismatch
between Si and the phase separated Sn and caused the softer Sn to extrude as nanowires.
The study also shows that the microstructure of the composite films can be easily
controlled by adjusting the Si/Sn ratio, which in turn determines the size and density of
the Sn nanowires during the subsequent heating process. The growth mechanism of Sn
nanowires and preliminary results on electrochemical test are discussed. Since
nanostructured materials have shown promising results in terms of high charge rate,
retention of high capacity, and excellent cyclability, Sn nanowires could be potentially
used as anodes for future lithium ion batteries.