Di-tert-butyltin(IV) 2-pyridyl and 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidyl thiolates: versatile single source precursors for the preparation of SnS nanoplatelets as anode material for lithium ion batteries.

New air and moisture stable di-tert-butyltin complexes derived from 2-mercaptopyridine (HSpy), [tBu2Sn(Spy)2], [tBu2Sn(Cl)(Spy)] and 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine (HSpymMe2) [tBu2Sn(Cl)(SpymMe2)], have been prepared and utilized as single-source molecular precursors for the preparation of orthorhombic SnS nanoplatelets by a hot injection method and thin films by aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). The complexes were characterized by NMR (1H, 13C, 119Sn) and elemental analysis and their structures were unambiguously established by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Thermolysis of these complexes in oleylamine (OAm) produced SnS nanoplatelets. The morphologies, elemental compositions, phase purity and crystal structures of the resulting Oam-capped nanoplatelets were determined by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and pXRD, while the band gaps of the nanoplatelets were evaluated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and were blue shifted relative to the bulk material. The morphology and preferential growth of the nanoplatelets were found to be significantly altered by the nature of the molecular precursor employed. The synthesized SnS nanoplatelets were evaluated for their performance as anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). A cell comprised of an SnS electrode could be cycled for 50 cycles. The rate capability of SnS was investigated at different current densities in the range 0.1 to 0.7 A g-1 which revealed that the initial capacity could be regained.