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

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 micro spheres (diameter: 1-2 mu m) composed of nanosheets (thickness: 60-70 nm). 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 degrees C) has nanoplates with a lower thickness, improving electrochemical performance. At a constant current density of 300 mA g(-1), the microflowers exhibit a reversible capacity of 460 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles, a retention of 84%. More importantly, at a higher current density of 5000 mA 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. (C) 2016 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.