Characteristics of Sb Film Electrode Prepared by Vacuum Depositing

Vacuum depositing was employed to prepare antimony (Sb) film electrode as anode for lithium-ion batteries. The crystal structure, surface morphology, electrochemical properties and lithium insertion/ extraction characteristics of the so-obtained film electrode were investigated by XRD, SEM, constant current charge-discharge testing and CV. The results show that Sb film is obtained with a hexagonal structure and (003) preferred orientation. The morphology of Sb film is similar to that of Cu foil and Sb metal possesses a platelet shape. It can be observed that Li3Sb alloy appears and Sb phase disappears during the first lithium insertion process, and Sb phase appeares and Li3Sb alloy disappears reversibly during the lithium extraction process. The initial lithium insertion/ extraction specific capacity of Sb film can reach 652 and 454 mAh/g, respectively. And insertion specific capacity is 300 mAh/g after 16 cycles, which is larger than that of Sb powder electrode.