Structure-mediated electrochemical performance of SnS2 anode for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

In this study, SnS2 powders with various surface morphologies are prepared using a facile solvothermal route with three different solvents. The powders synthesized in ethylene glycol and deionized water exhibit aggregates composed of nanoplates, whereas those synthesized in ethanol show flower-like microspheres (diameter: 1–2µm) composed of nanosheets (thickness: 60–70nm). The hierarchical flower-like microstructures can alleviate the volume change during charge/discharge cycles due to their porous nature. In addition, SnS2 synthesized at a lower temperature (100°C) has nanoplates with a lower thickness, improving electrochemical performance. At a constant current density of 300mA g−1, the microflowers exhibit a reversible capacity of 460mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, a retention of 84%. More importantly, at a higher current density of 5000mA g−1, a reversible capacity of 285 mAh g−1 is obtained. This study demonstrates that SnS2 synthesized using suitable processing design strategies can be used as an efficient active material for lithium-ion batteries.