Abstract
Insertion of lithium into, or extraction from, metallic host materials can produce volume changes, which lead to rapid mechanical disintegration and deterioration of Li‐alloy electrode performance. The cycling properties of Sn‐based composite electrodes can be significantly improved by optimizing the morphology and microstructure of lithium storage matrices. Decreasing the particle size of the metallic host powders to a submicron scale and using an intermetallic multiphase structure are effective ways for maintaining electrode mechanical and cycle stability. The fine host powders also enhance the kinetics of the electrochemical Li‐alloying process. Besides the granular structure of host matrices, the cycling potential range and the identity of the organic electrolytes also have major influences on the electrode performance. © 1999 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.