SnO2 nanoparticles are encapsulated by defective curved graphite layers.
SnO2 nanocapsules can promote the electron transfer and Li+ diffusion.
SnO2 nanocapsules can relieve the volume change during the charge/discharge cycles.
SnO2 nanocapsules exhibit the capacity of 1253 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1.
SnO2 nanocapsules show the high rate performance of 590.4 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1.