Synthesis, electrochemical properties of SnS/rGO nanocomposite as a negative electrode material for na-ion battery

Abstract

To date, there has been much research on electrochemical study of lithium ion batteries. However, the question has also been raised for depletion of lithium resources, causing interest in sodium ion batteries. While extensive investigations on conversion reactions of various metal oxides as lithium electrode materials have been carried out, conversion reactions in sodium-based systems have been rarely reported. Here we have synthesized spherical SnS/rGO nanocomposites with graphene oxide by simple hydrothermal reaction and annealing for reduction of graphene oxide to graphene in successive process. The phase and morphology of SnS/rGO nanocomposites have been investigated by XRD, SEM, and TEM, respectively. The electrochemical performance of SnS/rGO nanocomposites were tested in sodium nonaqueous electrolytes. The Sn-based nanocomposites delivers 588mAh/g at a rate of 50 mA/g, indicating relatively higher capacity compared to previous reports. This materials also shows stable capacity retention with 396mAh/g at 100mA/g after 100cycles. In addition, structural differences during the conversion reactions in sodium system will be discussed.