Li2S is one of the most promising cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity and compatibility with Li‐metal‐free anode materials. However, the poor conductivity and electrochemical reactivity lead to low initial capacity and severe capacity decay. In this communication, a nitrogen and phosphorus codoped carbon (N,P–C) framework derived from phytic acid doped polyaniline hydrogel is designed to support Li2S nanoparticles as a binder‐free cathode for Li–S battery. The porous 3D architecture of N and P codoped carbon provides continuous electron pathways and hierarchically porous channels for Li ion transport. Phosphorus doping can also suppress the shuttle effect through strong interaction between sulfur and the carbon framework, resulting in high Coulombic efficiency. Meanwhile, P doping in the carbon framework plays an important role in improving the reaction kinetics, as it may help catalyze the redox reactions of sulfur species to reduce electrochemical polarization, and enhance the ionic conductivity of Li2S. As a result, the Li2S/N,P–C composite electrode delivers a stable capacity of 700 mA h g−1with average Coulombic efficiency of 99.4% over 100 cycles at 0.1C and an areal capacity as high as 2 mA h cm−2at 0.5C.
Metallic sulfide anodes show great promise for sodium‐ion batteries due to their high theoretic capacities. However, their practical application is greatly hampered by poor electrochemical performance because of the large volume expansion of the sulfides and the sluggish kinetics of the Na+ions. Herein, a porous bimetallic sulfide of the SnS/Sb2S3heterostructure is constructed that is encapsulated in the sulfur and nitrogen codoped carbon matrix (SnS/Sb2S3@SNC) by a facile and scalable method. The porous structure can provide void space to alleviate the volume expansion upon cycling, guaranteeing excellent structural stability. The unique heterostructure and the S, N codoped carbon matrix together facilitate fast‐charge transport to improve reaction kinetics. Benefitting from these merits, the SnS/Sb2S3@SNC electrode exhibits high capacities of 425 mA h g−1at 200 mA g−1after 100 cycles, and 302 mA h g−1at 500 mA g−1after 400 cycles. Moreover, the SnS/Sb2S3@SNC anode shows an outstanding rate performance with a capacity of over 200 mA h g−1at a high current density of 5000 mA g−1. This study provides a new strategy and insight into the design of electrode materials with the potential for the practical realization and applications of next‐generation batteries.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 2240507
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10418971
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small Structures
- Volume:
- 4
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 2688-4062
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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