SnS₂ nanoplates as stable anodes for sodium ion and lithium ion batteries

Tin disulphide (SnS₂) nanoplates with an average lateral size of ~40 nm and thickness of approximately 7 nm were synthesised through a facile hydrothermal method between SnCl₄·5H₂O and thioacetamide. The as-synthesised SnS₂ nanoplates exhibit improved electrochemical performances for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In the LIBs electrochemical tests, anode consisting of SnS₂ nanoplates presents a stable reversible capacity of 515 mAh/g under a current density of 0.1 A/g after 50 cycles. When utilising SnS₂ nanoplates as SIB anode, a reversible capacity of 241.5 mAh/g is delivered at the 50th cycle under a current density of 0.1 A/g, retaining 70% of the first reversible capacity (349 mAh/g). Furthermore, to explore the practical application of SnS₂ anode for sodium storage, an Na⁺ full cell is assembled by pairing SnS₂ anode with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode. The Na⁺ full cell delivers an initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and slowly decays to 195 mAh/g after 50 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A/g.