SnS2/B4C@OUCNTs as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

The world's energy supply depends heavily on lithium-ion batteries due to the progressive depletion of non-renewable resources. The issue of raising the energy density of lithium-ion batteries must be addressed. We are all aware that the anode material is one area where lithium-ion batteries still have room for development. A new anode material, tin disulfide, not only has a high theoretical specific capacity (645 mAh g⁻¹), but also allows the formation of different microstructures through variable growth rates. In this study, we created three-dimensional nano-spheres of SnS₂ using solid-phase synthesis and then wrapped SnS₂ and B₄C in OUCNTs (SnS₂/B₄C@OUCNT) using hydrothermal synthesis. Ascribed to the synergy between the highly chemical active B₄C and the conductive carbon network of the OUCNTs, SnS₂/B₄C@OUCNT (149 Ω) effectively overcomes the drawback of high impedance of pure SnS₂ (307 Ω) while exhibiting high capacity and cyclic stability. After 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, this material displayed good electrochemical properties as the anode for lithium-ion batteries, obtaining a reversible capacity of 1024.7 mAh g⁻¹ and a coulombic efficiency of 98.01%. The discharge capacity is 854.7 mAh g⁻¹ with a coulombic efficiency of 98.57% after 200 cycles at 1000 mA g⁻¹. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]