Amine-free preparation of SnSe nanosheets with high crystallinity and their lithium storage properties

In the present work, SnSe nanosheets were prepared via a reaction at the oil–water interface in the solvothermal process at low temperature (130 °C), which did not involve any templates and amines such as oleylamine. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, absorption spectrum and nitrogen adsorption were used to characterize the products. The results indicated that the SnSe nanosheets obtained adopted a square-like morphology with lateral dimensions of approximately 120 nm × 120 nm and possessed high crystallinity. Moreover, their electrochemical performance, as an anode material, was evaluated by galvanostatic discharge–charge tests, showing that the as-prepared SnSe nanosheets exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 1009 mA h g−1 as a potential energy storage material.