Boosting the performance of half/full lithium-ion batteries by designing smart architecture anode of SnS2 nanosheet coating on NiCo2S4 hollow spheres

Abstract An innovative and controlled strategy has been proposed to design tin disulfide (SnS2) nanosheet coating on nanostructure hollow sphere of ternary spinel sulfide (NiCo2S4) composites smart architecture as anodes (NiCo2S4/SnS2) for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by a facile template-free hydrothermal method. The NiCo2S4/SnS2 electrode showed good electrochemical performances, for instance, high reversible capacity (1260 mA h g−1@0.1 A g−1), favorable rate capability and good cycles stability (627 mA h g−1 @0.5 A g−1 after 300 cycles), which is ascribed to smart architecture hollow structure, good electrical conductivity and contribution of synergistic effect. The mechanism of lithiation and delithiation process in NiCo2S4/SnS2 composite electrodes was further shed light upon. Moreover, the advanced full batteries have been assembled by combing NiCo2S4/SnS2 anodes with commercial NMC111 cathodes, which presented good cycle stability and potential promising application. Our work provides novel way to design multifunction metal sulfides with desirable architecture and superior property in energy storage area.