In situ growth of core-shell structure of tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@Sulfur doped carbon composite as anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

SnS is regarded as an ideal material for electrodes in next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high specific capacity and low cost. However, the low conductivity and larger volume expansion during charge/discharge hinder its practical application. In this paper, a novel core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@Sulfur doped carbon composite (SnS@C) was constructed by reduction of as-prepared nanoflower SnS 2 and carbonazation of carboxymethyl cellulose using a crystallized NaCl as template under N 2 atmosphere. The sulfur doping carbon shell with more defects can increase not only the electrical conductivity but also enhance the mechanical strength of the SnS@C due to the larger space provided by interconnected tremella fuciformis shaped structure, as well as can provide more active sites for lithium-ions intercalation/de-intercalation by surface pseudocapacitive behavior. It remains stable capacity of 1078 mAh g−1 cycled at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and 801 mAh g−1 even at 1.0 A g−1 for 500 cycles, and 403 mAh g−1 even at 5 A g−1 of rate performance. The simple synthesis scheme not only creates more reactive sites, but also forms a stable 3D interconnected carbon skeleton structure, which is suitable for other energy storage and conversion materials too. [Display omitted] • A core-shell tremella fuciformis shaped SnS@S doped carbon composite was obtained. • S doped carbon shell was obtained by a simple reduction of SnS 2 and carbonization method. • S doping of carbon enhance the defects and favor for Li+ storage as surface pseudocapacitive. • The carbon shell of SnS@C increases the conductivity and stablize the SnS structure. • 3D interconnected petals provide large space and more active sites for Li+ storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]