Construction of Ti₃C₂ MXene@C@SnS with layered rock stratum structure for high-performance lithium storage

Tin sulfide (SnS) possesses high theoretical capacity and make it a very potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the poor electrical conductivity of SnS is prone to collapse during lithiation/de-lithiation. Herein, Ti₃C₂ MXene@C@SnS hybrids with layered rock stratum structure are prepared as an anode electrode for lithium ion batteries through hydrothermal and subsequent annealing. The hybrids integrate large specific surface area and porosity, and accelerate electron/ion transfer. The Ti₃C₂ MXene@C@SnS anode exhibits a superior capacity (1473 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹), outstanding rate capability (640 mA h g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹ and keeps 1142.2 mA h g⁻¹ for 70 cycles returning to 0.5 A g⁻¹ again) and excellent long-cycle stability (1050 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ over 350 cycles). Kinetic analysis reveals that the excellent rate capability is controlled by surface pseudocapacitance behavior at high current. This result indicates that Ti₃C₂ MXene@C@SnS can be potentially applied in the field of lithium storage.