Facile in situ selenization synthesis of chemically bonded SnSe/r-GO composite with superior lithium storage performance.

SnSe/r-GO composite with SnSe nanorods anchoring on the r-GO surface by Sn–O–C and Sn–C bonds was prepared successfully by in-situ selenization of SnO 2 /r-GO precursor. When employed as lithium ion battery anode, SnSe/r-GO exhibits more superior electrochemical performance than SnO 2 /r-GO composite. [Display omitted] • SnSe/r-GO is prepared by in-situ selenization transformation from SnO 2 /r-GO. • SnSe nanorods are anchored on r-GO surface homogeneously via the Sn–O–C and Sn–C bonds. • The SnSe/r-GO demonstrates much better cycling and rate performance than SnO 2 /r-GO. SnSe is regarded as one of the promising anodes for the next-generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to high theoretical capacity and good conductivity. Herein, SnSe/r-GO composite is synthesized by in-situ selenization transformation from SnO 2 /r-GO and it displays the structure that SnSe nanorods are dispersed on the surface of r-GO homogeneously via the Sn–O–C and Sn–C bonds. The chemically bonded SnSe/r-GO demonstrates much better cycling and rate performance than SnO 2 /r-GO when used as LIBs anode. It can afford a high discharge capacity of 1196.4 mAh·g−1 in the first cycle and maintained at 606.6 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles. Even at high current density of 1000 mA·g−1, the specific capacity of SnSe/r-GO can reach to 423.8 mAh·g−1. This work provides an in situ synthesis strategy for high-performance tin-based material in the application of energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]