Superior rate capabilities of SnS nanosheet electrodes for Li ion batteries

We report on the self-supported, two-dimensional (2D) SnS nanosheets electrode directly grown on metallic current collectors via non-catalytic and template-free, vapor transport synthetic route. The self-supported SnS nanosheets electrode demonstrates good cycling performance and superior rate capabilities: a capacity of ∼380 mAh g^-1 even at 20C rate (after charging for 3 min), larger than the theoretical capacity of the carbon-based electrodes currently used in commercial Li ion batteries. The origin of such an improvement in the long-term cycle stability and electronic/ionic transport kinetics, is understood by means of various microscopic investigation as well as unique characteristics of self-supported nanostructuring strategy itself.