Binder-free flower-like SnS2 nanoplates decorated on the graphene as a flexible anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Flexible electrodes with light weight, favorable mechanical strength and high energy/power density have attracted tremendous interest for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Here we develop a novel architecture for preparing a freestanding binder-free flexible electrode (Hierarchical SnS2 Nanoplates Decorated on the Graphene Supported by Carbon Cloth), which possesses superhigh mass-loading and large specific surface area. The electrode provides the high-rate transportation of electrolyte ions and electrons throughout the electrode matrix and buffers the volumetric expansion effect generated from Li+ insertion/desertion. The uniform size and homogeneous SnS2 nanoplates on the graphene nanosheets reduced electrode polarization, leading to excellent electrochemical performance. The flexible electrode exhibits an extraordinary initial capacity of 1987.4 mAh g(-1), a specific capacity up to 638.1 mAhg(-1) after 150 cycles, which integrates that the design strategies to enhance the mass loading of active materials can be responsible for the superior lithium storage performance. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.