An ionic liquid-assisted route towards SnS2 nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide for lithium-ion battery anode

Highlights: • The nanocomposites are synthesized by a unique ionic liquid-assisted route. • SnS₂ nanoparticles with a diameter of about 5nm are anchored on rGO. • The synthesis method is simple and fast. • The composite reaches 1045.8mAhg⁻¹ after 700 cycles at 500mAg⁻¹. The nanocomposites of SnS₂ and reduced graphene oxide (SnS₂@rGO) are synthesized by a unique ionic liquid-assisted route, which involves SnS_x precursors prepared by the reaction of elemental tin and sulfur in the ionic liquid of 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride. The SnS₂ contents in the composites can be adjusted by changing the ratios of SnS_x precursor to graphene oxide (GO). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations clearly show that SnS₂ nanoparticles with a diameter of about 5nm are anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The synthesized composites are used as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which demonstrate highly reversible capacities and outstanding cycle stabilities. The discharge specific capacity can still reach 1045.8mAh·g⁻¹ after 700 cycles at a current density of 500mAg⁻¹. The prepared SnS₂@rGO composites with highly reversible capacities and good cycle performance may be promising LIBs anode materials.