Surfactant-Free, Simple Hydrothermal Synthesis of Morphologically Porous, Three-Dimensional SnS2 Nanomaterial as Long term Stable Electrode for Supercapacitor Application

Abstract

Tin disulfide (SnS₂) is a prominent candidate in the class of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), whose multiple electrical and electrochemical applications have recently steered much attention to energy storage devices like batteries and supercapacitors. Previous studies on the material came under the efforts to improve its applications by doping, creating composites, and other heterogeneous structures, which are complicated and less economical. Thus, pristine SnS₂, utilizing its morphological features in conjunction with a suitable synthesis method, was investigated to improve efficiency and reduce cost without confusing processes or structural iterations. In this work, SnS₂ is synthesized in its bare form using the hydrothermal method to investigate its potential supercapacitor application. The synthesis route followed a cost-efficient and simple protocol, and the material shows a porous morphology favoring electrode–electrolyte interaction desirable for supercapacitors. A comprehensive study on the structural, morphological, and surface features done by XRD, FESEM, EDX, XPS, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis confirmed the formation of SnS₂ and interior structure. Supercapacitor analysis by CV, GCD, EIS, and cyclic stability tests reveal an intermittent energy storage mechanism, with a capacitance of 109.6 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and high cyclic retention of 106% at 5 A g⁻¹ after 7000 cycles.