Synthesis and electrochemical characterizations of Ce doped SnS₂ anode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries

The nanocomposites Ce doped SnS₂ (CeSnS₂) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal route. The CeSnS₂ composites exhibit 3D flowerlike structures. The particle sizes of each petal are in the range from 100 to 200 nm with clear lattice fringes. The electrode cycling performance and rate retention ability of CeSnS₂ are better than those of SnS ₂ as anode electrodes materials for lithium ion batteries. The CeSnS₂ compound (Ce of 5 mol%) shows the best reversible capacities and cycling performance among the synthesized CeSnS₂ compounds. The reason is that the part of large-radius cerium ions (much larger than that of Sn⁴⁺) can be the substitutes for Sn⁴⁺ in the SnS ₂ lattice. The expansion of the crystal lattice can provide more lattice space for lithium intercalation and de-intercalation, and further improves the cycling performance of CeSnS₂.