Synthesis of SnO2/MoS2 composites with different component ratios and their applications as lithium ion battery anodes

Abstract

Owing to their high capacities and ease of synthesis with desired morphologies, two anode materials with great potential, namely SnO₂ and MoS₂, are selected to form a composite anode, where SnO₂ nanoparticles act as spacers to prevent the restacking of MoS₂ nanosheets, while MoS₂ nanosheets serve as substrates to accommodate the SnO₂ nanoparticles. However, the ratio between the two components has a crucial effect on the resultant electrochemical performance. In this work, four sets of composites with different SnO₂/MoS₂ ratios (SnO₂/MoS₂-1, SnO₂/MoS₂-2, SnO₂/MoS₂-3, and SnO₂/MoS₂-4) have been synthesized, characterized, and electrochemically tested. Among them, the composite of SnO₂/MoS₂-3 with an SnO₂ : MoS₂ mass ratio of around 2 : 1 outperforms the pure MoS₂ nanosheets and any other composite, delivering the highest and most stable reversible capacities over a test period of 230 cycles with a current density ranging from 100 to 10 000 mA g⁻¹.