This electrode is best served cold—a reversible electrochemical lithiation of a gray cubic tin

The behavior of a cubic allotropic modification of tin (α-Sn) towards lithium electrochemical alloying/de-alloying is reported for the first time. The cycling stability of the α-Sn electrode is superior compared with the cycling stability of the tetragonal white tin (β-Sn). Scanning electron microscopy studies reveal that unlike β-Sn, the α-Sn crystal grains preserve their integrity during the lithiation/delithiation cycles. The shift in the charge/discharge potential stages in the α-Sn electrode with reference to the β-Sn electrode is demonstrated. The potential shift is discussed in terms of differences in the elastic stress—the related component of Gibbs energy of β- and α-Sn lithiation/delithiation processes. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].