Sn-based nanomaterials converted from SnS nanobelts: Facile synthesis, characterizations, optical properties and energy storage performances

Uniform single-crystalline SnS nanobelts have been prepared via a simple wet-chemical route, in which SnCl 2 was used as tin source and Na 2S as sulfur source. Direct conversion of these SnS nanobelts with two pyramidal tips to porous-walled SnO 2 nanocapsules was achieved by oxidizing in atmospheric ambient at 500–700 °C. The formation mechanism of these porous nanocapsules is a combination of non-equilibrium interdiffusion, volume loss, and gas release. With these uniform SnS nanobelts as precursors, carbon-coated metal Sn nanorods (Sn@C core-shell structure) were also synthesized by decomposition of sulfide SnS nanobelts with carbon coatings in N 2 atmosphere. A strong UV emission peak at 365 nm is demonstrated for the SnO 2 porous nanocapsules, which makes these promising materials for applications such as optical sensors. Furthermore, energy storage performances of these Sn-based nanomaterials (porous SnO 2 nanocapsules and Sn@C core-shell nanocomposites) as anodes for Li-ion batteries were investigated in detail.