LAUSR

Abstract Tin selenide (SnSe) has been explored as a promising anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) but its electrochemical performance is strictly limited by the large volume variation during charge/discharge process and relatively low electronic conductivity. In this work, hierarchical Cu doped SnSe nanoclusters were prepared by a cost-efficient and nontoxic method and demonstrated as a high-performance anode for SIBs. Under optimized Cu doping degree (10 wt% Cu), the developed Cu-SnSe anode exhibits excellent rate performance with a high capacity of 330 mAh/g at 20 A/g and outstanding stability with a capacity of 304 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g (0.1–3.0 V vs. Na/Na+). The enhanced electronic conductivity, facilitated sodiation/desodiation process, and relieved volume change during cycling in Cu doped SnSe benefited from Cu doping and the unique hierarchical structure should account for its extraordinary sodiun storage performance.