Review on recent progress of nanostructured anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Advanced electrodes with a high energy density at high power are urgently needed for high-performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), to fulfil the requirements of future electrochemical power sources for applications such as in hybrid electric/plug-in-hybrid (HEV/PHEV) vehicles. Metal sulfides with unique physical and chemical properties, as well as high specific capacity/capacitance, which are typically multiple times higher than that of the carbon/graphite-based materials, are currently studied as promising electrode materials. However, the implementation of these sulfide electrodes in practical applications is hindered by their inferior rate performance and cycling stability. Nanostructures offering the advantages of high surface-to-volume ratios, favourable transport properties, and high freedom for the volume change upon ion insertion/extraction and other reactions, present an opportunity to build next-generation LIBs and SCs. Thus, the development of novel concepts in material research to achieve new nanostructures paves the way for improved electrochemical performance. Herein, we summarize recent advances in nanostructured metal sulfides, such as iron sulfides, copper sulfides, cobalt sulfides, nickel sulfides, manganese sulfides, molybdenum sulfides, tin sulfides, with zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional morphologies for LIB and SC applications. In addition, the recently emerged concept of incorporating conductive matrices, especially graphene, with metal sulfide nanomaterials will also be highlighted. Finally, some remarks are made on the challenges and perspectives for the future development of metal sulfide-based LIB and SC devices.

Nanostructured metal sulfides for energy storage

Nanostructured transition metal sulfides for lithium ion batteries: Progress and challenges

Exploitation of high-performance anode materials is essential but challenging to the development of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Among all proposed anode materials for SIBs, sulfides have been proved promising candidates due to their unique chemical and physical properties. In this work, a facile solvothermal method to in situ decorate cobalt sulfide (CoS) nanoplates on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to build CoS@rGO composite is described. When evaluated as anode for SIBs, an impressive high specific capacity (540 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) ), excellent rate capability (636 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1) and 306 mAh g(-1) at 10 A g(-1)), and extraordinarily cycle stability (420 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) after 1000 cycles) have been demonstrated by CoS@rGO composite for sodium storage. The synergetic effect between the CoS nanoplates and rGO matrix contributes to the enhanced electrochemical performance of the hybrid composite. The results provide a facile approach to fabricate promising anode materials for high-performance SIBs.

Unique Cobalt Sulfide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite as an Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries with Superior Rate Capability and Long Cycling Stability.

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries because potassium is an abundant natural resource. To date, PIBs are in the early stages of exploration and only a few anode materials have been investigated. This study reports a cobalt sulfide and graphene (CoS@G) composite as anode electrode for PIBs for the first time. The composite features interconnect quantum dots of CoS nanoclusters uniformly anchored on graphene nanosheets. The coexistence of CoS quantum dot nanoclusters and graphene nanosheets endows the composite with large surface area, highly conductive network, robust structural stability, and excellent electrochemical energy storage performance. An unprecedented capacity of 310.8 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1 is obtained after 100 cycles, with a rate capability better than an equivalent sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). This work provides the evidence that PIBs can be a promising alternative to SIBs, especially at high charge–discharge rates. The development of the CoS@G anode material also provides the basis of expanding the library of suitable anode materials for PIBs.

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CoS Quantum Dot Nanoclusters for High-Energy Potassium-Ion Batteries

The polyhedral CoS2 with a narrow size distribution was synthesized by a facile solid-state assembly process in a sealed silica tube. The flux of potassium halide (KX; X = Cl, Br, I) plays a crucial role in the formation of polyhedrons and the size distribution. The S22– groups in CoS2 can be controllably withdrawn during heat treatment in air. The obtained phases and microstructures of CoS2, Co3S4, CoS, Co9S8, and CoO depended on heating temperature and time. These cobalt materials, successfully used as the electrodes of lithium ion batteries, possessed good cycling stability in lithium ion batteries. The discharge capacities of 929.1 and 835.2 mAh g–1 were obtained for CoS2 and CoS respectively, and 76% and 71% of the capacities remained after 10 cycles. High capacities and good cycle performance make them promising candidates for lithium ion batteries. The approach combining solid-state assembly and heat treatment provides a simple and versatile way to prepare various metal chalcogeides for energy stor...

Xia Zhang

Papers

Phase-Controlled Synthesis of Cobalt Sulfides for Lithium Ion Batteries