Binder-free flower-like SnS₂ nanoplates decorated on the graphene as a flexible anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Flexible electrodes with light weight, favorable mechanical strength and high energy/power density have attracted tremendous interest for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Here we develop a novel architecture for preparing a freestanding binder-free flexible electrode (Hierarchical SnS₂ Nanoplates Decorated on the Graphene Supported by Carbon Cloth), which possesses superhigh mass-loading and large specific surface area. The electrode provides the high-rate transportation of electrolyte ions and electrons throughout the electrode matrix and buffers the volumetric expansion effect generated from Li⁺ insertion/desertion. The uniform size and homogeneous SnS₂ nanoplates on the graphene nanosheets reduced electrode polarization, leading to excellent electrochemical performance. The flexible electrode exhibits an extraordinary initial capacity of 1987.4 mAh g⁻¹, a specific capacity up to 638.1 mAhg⁻¹ after 150 cycles, which integrates that the design strategies to enhance the mass loading of active materials can be responsible for the superior lithium storage performance.