Biotemplating synthesis of rod-shaped tin sulfides assembled by interconnected nanosheets for energy storage

Abstract Two-dimensional tin sulfides are attracting extensive attention owing to their various potential applications. However, the synthesis methods of tin sulfides are general sophisticated. In addition, the problems of low conductivity and aggregation during charge and discharge severely degrade capacity and long-term cycling stability of lithium ions battery. Herein, we employ bacteria as biotemplate to synthesize homogeneous rod-shaped tin sulfides assembled by interconnected nanosheets. The evolution of structure is revealed elaborately subsequently. The solid rod-shaped structure is firstly formed through adsorbing positively charged Sn4+ on the surface of bacteria. After interacting with S2− source, the SnS2 nanosheets initially appear on the surface, and gradually grow toward interior space to form interconnected structure. Finally, carbon is coated from in situ decomposition of Escherichia coli after calcination in inert atmosphere and thus improves conductivity of material. As lithium ions battery, this anode exhibits a stable cycle capacity of 655 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 200 cycles. This synthesis method is low-cost and provides an ingenious rod-shaped structure which can solve problem of easy agglomeration during charge and discharge. Furthermore, this study may facilitate the development of commercial applications of lithium ions battery.