Metal-Complex-Assisted Synthesis of SnSe Nanorods for Lithium-Ion-Battery Anodes

SnSe nanorods with a length of about 1–2 μm and a width of 100 nm are achieved with the assistance of a metal complex. The growth mechanism and how metal complexes influence the morphology of SnSe are investigated. As a lithium-ion-battery (LIB) anode, the nanorod structure of SnSe not only provides a fast electron/ion transmission path but also relieves the volume expansion because of the inherent mechanical strength of the one-dimensional structure. The phase change of SnSe is evaluated by ex situ X-ray diffraction during lithium insertion/extraction to study the lithium-ion storage mechanism. Compared with SnSe nanoparticles, SnSe nanorods exhibit a better electrochemical performance, delivering an initial reversible specific capacity of 683.6 mAh g–1 at 100 mA g–1 and maintaining a specific capacity of 302 mAh g–1 even after 100 cycles, which demonstrates a promising anode material for LIBs.