Mechanochemical synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanosized SnS as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

As an alternative of carbon anode for lithium ion batteries, SnS nanoparticles were synthesized by mechanical milling. The morphology and microstructure of SnS particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). With increasing the milling time, the amount of SnS increased due to the intensive alloying between Sn and S powders, while the particle size decreased gradually. Electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated using Li ion model cells. The irreversible capacity loss in the first discharge–charge cycle is attributed to the formation of Li2S originated from the reaction of SnS and Li+. The ratio of Li2S and S was suggested to have immense impacts on the cycling performance. Li2S was considered to be more appropriate for buffering the volume change than S. In the following cycles, the nanosized SnS anode material exhibited good cycle stability and delivered a discharge capacity of 400 mAh/g after 40 cycles.