Core–Shell Structure Trimetallic Sulfide@N-Doped Carbon Composites as Anodes for Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage Performance

Abstract

The high specific capacity of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) opens up a promising new development direction for lithium-ion batteries with high energy storage. However, the poor conductivity and serious volume expansion during charge and discharge hinder their further development. In this work, trimetallic sulfide Zn–Co–Fe–S@nitrogen-doped carbon (Zn–Co–Fe–S@N–C) polyhedron composite with a core–shell structure is synthesized through a simple self-template method using ZnCoFe–ZIF as precursor, followed by a dopamine surface polymerization process and sulfidation during high-temperature calcination. The obvious space between the internal core and the external shell of the Zn–Co–Fe–S@N–C composites can effectively alleviate the volume expansion and shorten the diffusion path of Li ions during charge and discharge cycles. The nitrogen-doped carbon shell not only significantly improves the electrical conductivity of the material, but also strengthens the structural stability of the material. The synergistic effect between polymetallic sulfides improves the electrochemical reactivity. When used as an anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the prepared Zn–Co–Fe–S@N–C composite exhibits a high specific capacity retention (966.6 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at current rate of 100 mA g−1) and good cyclic stability (499.17 mA h g−1 after 120 cycles at current rate of 2000 mA g−1).

Facilely Fabricating F-Doped Fe3N Nanoellipsoids Grown on 3D N-Doped Porous Carbon Framework as a Preeminent Negative Material

“…In recent years, scientists have successively developed wind energy, solar energy, fuel cells, supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Among these, LIBs are regarded as the most popular energy sources in people’s daily lives due to their durable operation life, low usage cost and environmental pollution [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Nonetheless, the presently utilized graphite negative electrodes for LIBs bespeak an inferior energy density, meaning that they need a long charging time, which profoundly constrains the whirlwind evolution of LIBs employed in electric automobiles [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

PPy-Coated Mo3S4/CoMo2S4 Nanotube-like Heterostructure for High-Performance Lithium Storage

“…Compared with the graphite anode, transition metal sulfides (TMSs) have received considerable attention due to their high theoretical capacities, suitable operating voltages and excellent electrochemical reversibility [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Generally speaking, TMSs react electrochemically with lithium based on a conversion mechanism to form a metallic substance and Li 2 S, which results in relatively good conductivity and high theoretical capacity [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Unfortunately, the development of TMSs is restricted by their large volume change during the lithium insertion and extraction.…”

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“…Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as one of most promising catalyst materials, serves as a fluorescent probe in a visual sensor [13]. In addition, carbon-based composites are employed for lithium-ion batteries [14][15][16]. This Special Issue also includes investigations related to pollutant removal with sorption capability [17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”