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SnS nanosheet thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition in acidic solution, which used tin (II) chloride dihydrate and thioacetamide as precursors of Sn and S, respectively. The influences of pH levels, precursors' mole ratios, deposition times on the physical properties of SnS nanosheet thin films were investigated. The sheet-like morphologies and compositions of as-deposited SnS thin film were characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were used to confirm the crystal structures and phase purities of SnS nanosheet thin films. When employed as a photocathode for photo-electrochemical (PEC) solar hydrogen production, the as-deposited SnS nanosheet thin films yielded photocurrent densities of 31.94 μA cm −2 at −0.4 V under illumination of AM 1.5G. After deposition of CdS and Pt layers, the cathodic photocurrent densities of FTO/SnS/CdS/Pt and FTO/annealed SnS/CdS/Pt were improved to 0.572 mA cm −2 and 0.702 mA cm −2 , respectively, which demonstrated the great potential of using earth-abundant SnS for efficient hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnS is regarded as an ideal material for electrodes in next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high specific capacity and low cost. However, the low conductivity and larger volume expansion during charge/discharge hinder its practical application. In this paper, a novel core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@Sulfur doped carbon composite (SnS@C) was constructed by reduction of as-prepared nanoflower SnS 2 and carbonazation of carboxymethyl cellulose using a crystallized NaCl as template under N 2 atmosphere. The sulfur doping carbon shell with more defects can increase not only the electrical conductivity but also enhance the mechanical strength of the SnS@C due to the larger space provided by interconnected tremella fuciformis shaped structure, as well as can provide more active sites for lithium-ions intercalation/de-intercalation by surface pseudocapacitive behavior. It remains stable capacity of 1078 mAh g−1 cycled at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and 801 mAh g−1 even at 1.0 A g−1 for 500 cycles, and 403 mAh g−1 even at 5 A g−1 of rate performance. The simple synthesis scheme not only creates more reactive sites, but also forms a stable 3D interconnected carbon skeleton structure, which is suitable for other energy storage and conversion materials too. [Display omitted] • A core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@S doped carbon composite was obtained. • S doped carbon shell was obtained by a simple reduction of SnS 2 and carbonization method. • S doping of carbon enhance the defects and favor for Li+ storage as surface pseudocapacitive. • The carbon shell of SnS@C increases the conductivity and stablize the SnS structure. • 3D interconnected petals provide large space and more active sites for Li+ storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnS is regarded as an ideal material for electrodes in next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high specific capacity and low cost. However, the low conductivity and larger volume expansion during charge/discharge hinder its practical application. In this paper, a novel core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@Sulfur doped carbon composite (SnS@C) was constructed by reduction of as-prepared nanoflower SnS 2 and carbonazation of carboxymethyl cellulose using a crystallized NaCl as template under N 2 atmosphere. The sulfur doping carbon shell with more defects can increase not only the electrical conductivity but also enhance the mechanical strength of the SnS@C due to the larger space provided by interconnected tremella fuciformis shaped structure, as well as can provide more active sites for lithium-ions intercalation/de-intercalation by surface pseudocapacitive behavior. It remains stable capacity of 1078 mAh g−1 cycled at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and 801 mAh g−1 even at 1.0 A g−1 for 500 cycles, and 403 mAh g−1 even at 5 A g−1 of rate performance. The simple synthesis scheme not only creates more reactive sites, but also forms a stable 3D interconnected carbon skeleton structure, which is suitable for other energy storage and conversion materials too. [Display omitted] • A core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@S doped carbon composite was obtained. • S doped carbon shell was obtained by a simple reduction of SnS 2 and carbonization method. • S doping of carbon enhance the defects and favor for Li+ storage as surface pseudocapacitive. • The carbon shell of SnS@C increases the conductivity and stablize the SnS structure. • 3D interconnected petals provide large space and more active sites for Li+ storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, SnS nanorods were first prepared in an acidic solution by adjusting the amounts of tri-sodium citrate at room temperature using template-free electro-deposition method. The morphological characteristics and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of SnS nanorods thin films were investigated. The phase purity properties of deposited SnS thin films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman spectra measurements. The morphological characteristics of SnS nanorods were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The band-gaps of SnS thin films were confirmed by UV–Vis–NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum. The PEC characterizations indicated that the photocurrent density of SnS nanorods thin films was about 46 μA/cm2 and the maximum IPCE value of SnS nanorods thin films was 9.3%. The fabrication of FTO/SnS (nanorods)/CdS/TiO 2 /Pt photoelectrode improved the PEC performances of SnS nanorods thin films greatly. The photocurrent density of FTO/SnS (nanorods)/CdS/TiO 2 /Pt reached 0.59 mA/cm2, and the maximum IPCE value of FTO/SnS (nanorods)/CdS/TiO 2 /Pt achieved 27.1%. Image 1 • Template-free electrodeposited SnS nanorods were firstly reported. • The amount of tri-sodium citrate determines the morphological evolution of SnS nanorods. • PEC properties of SnS nanorods were greatly enhanced by FTO/SnS/CdS/TiO 2 /Pt photoelectrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]