Fast Energy Storage of SnS₂ Anode Nanoconfined in Hollow Porous Carbon Nanofibers for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The development of conversion-typed anodes with ultrafast charging and large energy storage is quite challenging due to the sluggish ions/electrons transfer kinetics in bulk materials and fracture of the active materials. Herein, the design of porous carbon nanofibers/SnS₂ composite (SnS₂@N-HPCNFs) for high-rate energy storage, where the ultrathin SnS₂ nanosheets are nanoconfined in N-doped carbon nanofibers with tunable void spaces, is reported. The highly interconnected carbon nanofibers in three-dimensional (3D) architecture provide a fast electron transfer pathway and alleviate the volume expansion of SnS₂, while their hierarchical porous structure facilitates rapid ion diffusion. Specifically, the anode delivers a remarkable specific capacity of 1935.50 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and excellent rate capability up to 30 C with a specific capacity of 289.60 mAh g⁻¹. Meanwhile, at a high rate of 20 C, the electrode displays a high capacity retention of 84% after 3000 cycles and a long cycle life of 10 000 cycles. This work provides a deep insight into the construction of electrodes with high ionic/electronic conductivity for fast-charging energy storage devices. © 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.