Synthesis of hollow spherical tin phosphides (Sn4P3) and their high adsorptive and electrochemical performance

• Sn4P3 hollow spherical structures are synthesized via a simple solvothermal route.
• EDTA can affect the formation of Sn4P3 hollow microspheres.
• Sn4P3 hollow spheres exhibit superior adsorption properties for some organic dyes.
• The electrochemical performances for lithium ion batteries are investigated.

Sn4P3 hollow spherical microstructures are successfully synthesized by a facile Solvothermal approach with the help of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Further study show that EDTA plays an important role as chelating and capping reagent in the formation of Sn4P3 hollow microspheres at room temperature. The research displays that the as-prepared Sn4P3 catalysts could absorb some typical organic dyes such as Methylene Blue, Safranine T and Methyl Orange, especially the adsorption ratio for some could reach to 99%. Meanwhile, as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, the initial discharge capacity of the as-prepared Sn4P3 hollow microspheres exceed 1478 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and it still keeps at 261mA h g−1 after 20 cycles. Even the current density is increased to 500 mA g−1, the second discharge capacity still can attain to 689 mA h g−1.