Aerosol-assisted rapid synthesis of SnS-C composite microspheres as anode material for Na-ion batteries

SnS-C composite powders were prepared through one-pot spray pyrolysis for use as anode materials for Na-ion batteries. C microspheres with uniformly attached cubic-like SnS nanocrystals, which have an amorphous C coating layer, were formed at a preparation temperature of 900 °C. The initial discharge capacities of the bare SnS and SnS-C composite powders at a current density of 500 mA·g−1 were 695 and 740 mA·h·g−1, respectively. The discharge capacities after 50 cycles and the capacity retentions measured from the second cycle of the bare SnS and SnS-C composite powders were 25 and 433 mA·h·g−1 and 5 and 89%, respectively. The prepared SnS-C composite powders with high reversible capacities and good cycle performance can be used as Na-ion battery anode materials.