SnS2Hollow Spheres: Template-Free Synthesis and Growth Mechanism

Tin sulphide (SnS2) shows great potential in photo-/electrochemical applications including hydrogen evolution due to its unique layered structure, intrinsic semiconducting nature and high optical absorption capacity. Hollow structured SnS(2)was synthesized by Xuexia He, Peng Hu and co-workers (article no. ) on FTO glass by template-free solvothermal routine. The studies of morphology evolution and phase changing indicate that SnS(2)experienced the steps of tilted sheets aggregation, extensional growth with cross-linking, formation of sphere wall starters, and then hollow structure completion. Specific surface energies difference between SnS(2)material and FTO substrate is believed to be the origin to trigger the conformation of the special hollow structure. - The cover article belongs to the Focus Section TMD Synthesis, a compilation of 7 articles in this issue, guest-edited by Zheng Liu (cf. Preface, article no. ).