New di-n-butyltin(iv)-bis-(1-alkoxy-isoquinoline-4-nitrile thiolate): crystallographic and computational studies

Alcohol and n-Bu2Sn2+ assisted cyclization of dithiolate yielded two unexpected organotin(iv) products, their reaction mechanism and nature of weak interactions assessed.

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.

Core@shell and lateral heterostructures composed of SnS and NbS2

The spatial arrangement of heterostructures based on two-dimensional layered materials is important in controlling their electronic and optoelectronic properties. In this contribution, by controlling the reaction kinetics and thus the nucleation and growth sequence of p-type SnS and metallic NbS2, controllable preparation of both SnS@NbS2 core@shell and SnS/NbS2 lateral heterostructures was realized. The SnS@NbS2 core@shell heterostructures were further applied in photodetectors, and interestingly, a negative photoresponse was observed due to the Seebeck effect exerted on the NbS2 shell. Compared with the pure metallic NbS2, the SnS@NbS2 core@shell heterostructures showed a 15 times increased signal-to-noise ratio and much improved photocurrent stability, largely due to the charge and heat transfer between the SnS core and NbS2 shell.

An interlinked computational–experimental investigation into SnS nanoflakes for field emission applications

Layered binary semiconductor materials have attracted significant interest as field emitters due to their low work function, mechanical stability, and high thermal and electrical conductivity.

Insights into the formation mechanism of two-dimensional lead halide nanostructures

We present a colloidal synthesis strategy for lead halide nanosheets with a thickness of far below 100 nm. Due to the layered structure and the synthesis parameters the crystals of PbI₂ are initially composed of many polytypes. We propose a mechanism which gives insight into the chemical process of the PbI₂ formation. Further, we found that the crystal structure changes with increasing reaction temperature or by performing the synthesis for longer time periods changing for the final 2H structure. In addition, we demonstrate a route to prepare nanosheets of lead bromide as well as lead chloride in a similar way. Lead halides can be used as a detector material for high-energy photons including gamma and X-rays.

Bis(selenobenzoato)dibutyltin(iv) as a single source precursor for the synthesis of SnSe nanosheets and their photo-electrochemical study for water splitting

A new organo tin complex has been synthesized and used as a single source precursor for the synthesis of tin selenide nanosheets and deposition of thin films.

Effect of cationic disorder on the energy generation and energy storage applications of NixCo3−xS4 thiospinel

Thiospinels show interesting catalytic and energy storage applications, however, the cationic disorder can have major influence on the energy generation and/or energy storage applications.

Structural investigations of SnS1−xSexsolid solution synthesized from chalcogeno-carboxylate complexes of organo-tin by colloidal and solvent-less routes

Tin chalcogenides are important semiconducting materials due to their non-toxic nature, cost effectiveness and layered structure.

Highly Sensitive Flexible Photodetectors Based on Self-Assembled Tin Monosulfide Nanoflakes with Graphene Electrodes

Tin monosulfide (SnS) nanostructures have attracted huge attention recently because of their high absorption coefficient, high photoconversion efficiencies, low energy cost, ease of deposition, and so on. Here, in this paper, we report on the low-cost hydrothermal synthesis of the self-assembled SnS nanoflake-like structures in terms of performance for the photodetectors. High-performance photodetectors were fabricated using SnS nanoflakes as active layers and graphene as the lateral electrodes. The SnS photodetectors exhibited excellent photoresponse properties with a high responsivity of 1.7 × 10⁴ A/W and have fast response and recovery times. In addition, the photodetectors exhibited long-term stability and strong dependence of photocurrent on light intensity. These excellent characteristics were attributed to the larger surface-to-volume ratio of the self-assembled SnS nanoflakes and the effective separation of the photogenerated carriers at graphene/SnS interfaces. Additionally, a flexible photodetector based on SnS nanoflakes was also fabricated on a flexible substrate that demonstrated similar photosensitive properties. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates the potential of hydrothermal-processed SnS nanoflakes for high-performance photodetectors and their application in flexible low-cost optoelectronic devices.

Ionic Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of Nanoscale (MoS2)x(SnO2)1-x on Reduced Graphene Oxide for the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted increased attention due to their enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. More specifically, ternary TMD nanohybrids, such as MoS_2(1-x)Se_2x or bimetallic sulfides, have arisen as promising electrocatalysts compared to MoS₂ and MoSe₂ due to their electronic, morphologic, and size tunabilities. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of few-layered MoS₂/rGO, SnS₂/rGO, and (MoS₂)_x(SnO₂)_1-x/rGO nanohybrids anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through a facile hydrothermal reaction in the presence of ionic liquids as stabilizing, delayering agents. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, neutron activation analysis, and UV-vis spectrophotometry) are used to validate the hierarchical properties, phase identity, and the smooth compositional tunability of the (MoS₂)_x(SnO₂)_1-x/rGO nanohybrids. Linear sweep voltammetry measurements reveal that incorporation of Sn into the ternary nanohybrids (as a discrete SnO₂ phase) greatly reduces the overpotential by 90-130 mV relative to the MoS₂ electrocatalyst. Significantly, the (MoS₂)_0.6(SnO₂)_0.4/rGO nanohybrid displays superior catalytic performance over MoS₂ alone, exhibiting a low overpotential (η₁₀) of 263 ± 5 mV and a small Tafel slope of 50.8 mV dec^-1. The hybrid catalyst shows high stability for the HER in acidic solutions, with negligible activity loss after 1000 cycles. The hierarchical structures and large surface areas possessing exposed, active edge sites make few-layered (MoS₂)_x(SnO₂)_1-x/rGO nanohybrids promising nonprecious metal electrocatalysts for the HER.

Di-n-butyl-bis-[N-(2-meth-oxy-eth-yl)-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2S,S']tin(IV): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The complete mol-ecule of the title compound, [Sn(C4H9)2(C5H10NOS2)2], is generated by a crystallographic mirror plane, with the SnIV atom and the two inner methyl-ene C atoms of the butyl ligands lying on the mirror plane; statistical disorder is noted in the two terminal ethyl groups, which deviate from mirror symmetry. The di-thio-carbamate ligand coordinates to the metal atom in an asymmetric mode with the resulting C2S4 donor set defining a skew trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry; the n-butyl groups are disposed to lie over the longer Sn-S bonds. Supra-molecular chains aligned along the a-axis direction and sustained by methyl-ene-C-H⋯S(weakly coordinating) inter-actions feature in the mol-ecular packing. A Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the dominance of H⋯H contacts in the crystal.