Construction of nanoflower SnS₂ anchored on g-C₃N₄ nanosheets composite as highly efficient anode for lithium ion batteries

Designing and manufacturing a novel structural the composite electrode materials can effectively improve the electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery. Hence, in this work, hierarchical nanoflower SnS₂ anchored on g-C₃N₄ nanosheets (the SnS₂/CN composite) electrode was creatively synthesized by a facile microwave hydrothermal method. The SnS₂/CN composite exhibits excellent cyclic stability, high-rate capacity and structural integrity at higher current density for lithium ion battery. It delivers high discharge capacity of 444.7 mAh·g⁻¹ at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles with the coulombic efficiency of over 99.9%, high specific capacity retention rate at higher current density (383.8 mAh·g⁻¹ and 350.8 mAh·g⁻¹ at the current density of 800 mA g⁻¹ and 1000 mA g⁻¹, respectively). The remarkable electrochemical performances of the SnS₂/CN composite electrode are attributed to its large surface area which provides more active sites and accelerates the migration of electrons and lithium ions during charge/discharge cycles. Moreover, the synergistic effect of the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets and nanoflowers SnS₂ electrode shows low charge-transfer resistance, which contributes to the alloying reaction between metallic Sn and lithium ions (Li⁺) during charge/discharge cycles. Importantly, g-C₃N₄ nanosheets acting as a spacer can efficiently buffer the volume change and alleviate the collapse or aggregation of SnS₂ electrode after repeated cycles.