Facile in situ selenization synthesis of chemically bonded SnSe/r-GO composite with superior lithium storage performance

SnSe is regarded as one of the promising anodes for the next-generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to high theoretical capacity and good conductivity. Herein, SnSe/r-GO composite is synthesized by in-situ selenization transformation from SnO2/r-GO and it displays the structure that SnSe nanorods are dispersed on the surface of r-GO homogeneously via the Sn–O–C and Sn–C bonds. The chemically bonded SnSe/r-GO demonstrates much better cycling and rate performance than SnO2/r-GO when used as LIBs anode. It can afford a high discharge capacity of 1196.4 mAh·g−1 in the first cycle and maintained at 606.6 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles. Even at high current density of 1000 mA·g−1, the specific capacity of SnSe/r-GO can reach to 423.8 mAh·g−1. This work provides an in situ synthesis strategy for high-performance tin-based material in the application of energy storage.