Reaction mechanisms, recent progress and future prospects of tin selenide-based composites for alkali-metal-ion batteries

Tin selenide (SnSe, SnSe2) with suitable redox potential and high theoretical capacity has been explored as a promising anode material for alkali-metal-ion batteries. However, this material suffers from the fatal volume variation and slow dynamics, leading to a fast capacity fading during the cycling process. To settle the above problems, several approaches including various nanostructure constructing, carbon coating, reduce graphene oxide modifying and heteroatom doping have been applied. In this review, the latest study progress in terms of electrochemical reaction mechanisms, morphology construction, and the corresponding performance of tin selenide-based materials for Li+ (Na+, K+) storage are systematically summarized. Furthermore, this review reveals the crucial factors which determine the electrochemical properties of tin selenide-based materials. Meanwhile, several promising modification strategies which can enhance the reversible capability and cycling life are emphasized. Finally, the perspective into future development and challenge of tin selenide-based materials in rechargeable batteries is also proposed. Overall, this review might supply a definite standpoint for designing and optimizing tin selenide-based anode materials, which can open the avenue to develop a novel battery technology with superior performance.