Sns 2D Nanosheets with High Energy Density for Next-Generation Rechargeable Battery Applications

Beyond the human being, economical energy providing/consumption, development of advanced energy conversion system and finding effective way for energy transport are considered as global urgent task which must be accomplished as soon as possible in modern society based on the environmental concerns and climate changes. In this regard, with the purpose of reducing consumption of natural resources as well as decrease of environmental pollution from internal combustion-engine, much effort has been spent on developing new energy storage system (ESS) and electric vehicles (EVs) powered by various batteries, fuel cell and hybrid system. However there are several quite requirements such as high power/energy density of battery, improved safety, and high reliability against with external environmental condition. Even if only considered in power/energy density of battery, state-of-the-art of rechargeable battery system have obvious limit although wide research and development has been conducted to meet requirements for next-generation battery. Therefore, lithium-oxygen batteries and Na ion batteries have engaged intensive attention owing to their high theoretical energy density. Yet, present lithium-oxygen battery and Na ion battery exhibit low efficiency and cyclic degradation, thus limiting their commercialization as next-generation power sources. Therefore, there are many attempts to design tailored materials for as an active material of Na ion battery or catalyst of lithium-oxygen batteries. Among them, metal sulfides have been extensively studied due to their fundamental properties for important technological applications.

Here, we suggest SnS 2D nanomaterials with an unique layered CdI₂-type structure with tin atoms sandwiched between two layers of hexagonal close-packed sulphur atoms. Thus, we found that such unique structure is facilitating not only intercalation of Na ions but also have catalytic activity for ORR/OER in lithium-oxygen batteries.