• SnS2@NxC composite with eggshell-like nitrogen-doped carbon coating effectively mitigates volumetric expansion, maintaining structural integrity over 1000 cycles.
• The electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 701.8 mA·h·g−1 at 0.5 A·g−1 after 1000 cycles, demonstrating exceptional long-term cycling stability.
• Nitrogen doping enhances electrical conductivity and promotes a robust SEI layer, contributing to improved rate performance and durability.
• The scalable synthesis using sucrose and dopamine offers a promising strategy for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes.