We report the electrodeposition of zinc–antimony composite films from aqueous solution. We show that it is possible to produce Zn4Sb3 films on zinc substrates by low-temperature annealing and we evaluate their performance as sodium-ion battery anodes. Near complete utilization of the antimony (>90%) during cycling, good cycle life (>250 cycles), and high rate performance is demonstrated for Zn4Sb3 thin films. Interestingly, when Zn4Sb3 transforms in situ to an amorphous zinc–antimony composite, it shows superior performance to zinc–antimony composites that are initially amorphous. This demonstrates the importance of the initial electrode structure on promoting the sodium alloying reaction.Keywords: electrodeposition; sodium-ion battery; thin film anode; zinc antimonide;

Strontium titanate nanoparticles have been synthesized using a combination of sol-precipitation and hydrothermal techniques for subsequent testing as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The potentials associated with lithiation are 0.105 V and 0.070 V vs. Li/Li+ and 0.095 V and 0.142 V vs. Li/Li+ during de-lithiation. These potentials are significantly lower than the 1.0 V to 1.5 V vs. Li/Li+ typically reported in the literature for titanates. In an attempt to improve the lithiation and de-lithiation kinetics, as well as capacity retention, SrTiO3 nanoparticles were platinized using a photoinduced reduction of chloroplatinic acid. No significant changes in the morphology or crystal structure of the platinized nanoparticles were observed as a result of the reduction reaction. The voltage profile, charge and discharge kinetics, and cyclability of the platinized SrTiO3 nanoparticles are compared to that of the non-platinized SrTiO3 nanoparticles.Highlights► SrTiO3 is a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries. ► Pt nodules are deposited ex situ onto the surface of nanoparticles of SrTiO3. ► The rate performance of platinized SrTiO3 nanoparticles is greatly enhanced.