The influence of nanostructure on the electrochemical properties of Li-ion battery was investigated. Tin-oxide nanotubes were prepared by combining sol-gel method with polycarbonate template. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were applied to characterize the obtained material. The electrochemical measurements were conducted on the nanostructured tin-oxides as electrode of Li-ion batteries. The XRD data indicate that the wall of tube is composed of cassiterite crystals of several nanometers. The electrochemical measurements show that the reaction under potential 0.1-0.2 V is possibly related to the tubular structure of the material. It is suggested that the trapping of Li by dangling bonds and defects sites also contributes to the larger irreversible capacity loss in the first discharge.
