In situ assembly of graphene sheets-supported SnS2 nanoplates into 3D macroporous aerogels for high-performance lithium ion batteries

• 3D aerogels consisted of graphene-supported SnS2 nanoplates are prepared by hydrothermal assembly and freeze-drying process.
• As-prepared aerogels show interconnected networks, large surface area and large numbers of macropores.
• As-prepared aerogels exhibit high-rate capability and cycling stability when used as an anode.

Three-dimensional (3D) SnS2/graphene aerogels (SnS2/G-As) have been successfully fabricated via an in situ macroscopy self-assembly of graphene sheets which embedded SnS2 nanoplates in a hydrothermal process, and then freeze-drying to maintain the 3D monolithic architectures. The graphene sheets in high concentration will be easily restacked into 3D architectures driven by combined hydrophobic and π–π stacking interactions during hydrothermal reduction process, meanwhile SnS2 facilitate stabilizing such novel graphene networks. The obtained SnS2/G-As show interconnected graphene networks, large surface area and large numbers of macropores. The novel 3D architectures in SnS2/G-As, which can provide rich sites for absorbing lithium ions and facilitate electrolyte contact as well as ionic diffusion, combined with the synergistic effect between the layered SnS2 and the graphene make SnS2/G-As achieve high reversible capacity (656 mA h g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of over 95% after 30 cycles) and excellent rate capability (240 mA h g−1 at the rate of 1000 mA g−1) when used as an anode in rechargeable LIBs.

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