Nanoplates-assembled SnS2 nanoflowers with carbon coating anchored on reduced graphene oxide for high performance Li-ion batteries

Abstract

To meet people's requirements for higher performance Li-ion batteries (LIBs), many new types of anodes have been studied. Among them, the conversion reaction anode is considered to be a promising electrode based on the multi-electron reaction mechanism. As a typical conversion reaction anode, SnS2 has been widely explored for its advantages of low toxicity, easy synthesis, and high capacity. However, it usually occurs the shuttle effect of polysulfide when applied, leading to the irreversibility of the conversion reaction, and seriously hinders its application. Therefore, we firstly employed hydrothermal and low-temperature chemical vapor deposition technology to prepare a ternary composite that flower-like SnS2 anchored on reduced graphene oxide after coated carbon layer (SnS2/C-rGO). When applied in LIBs, SnS2/C-rGO displays a capacity of 952.8 mAh g−1 after cycling 90 times at 0.1 A g−1 and outstanding rate performance (479 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), which is significantly superior to other prepared electrodes. The high performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of carbon layer and rGO, causing the high reversibility of conversion reaction and enhancing the cycle stability of SnS2. This investigation may provide a reference for improving the reversibility of conversion reaction anode.