One‐Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of ZnS Nanospheres Anchored on 3D Conductive MWCNTs Networks as High‐Rate and Cold‐Resistant Anode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

A 3D conductive network nanostructured composite of ZnS nanospheres anchored on multiwall carbon nanotubes (denoted as ZnS/MWCNTs) is synthesized via one-pot hydrothermal method as anodes for sodium-ion batteries. The MWCNTs backbone can form an interconnected network and nano-sized ZnS spheres are uniformly and closely anchored on the 3D network of MWCNTs. The morphology and microstructures of the electrode materials can be controlled easily by regulating the concentration of thiourea and the amount of MWCNTs. Benefiting from its remarkable architecture, the optimized ZnS/ MWCNTs exhibits an excellent cycling performance (397 mA h g À 1 after 50 cycles at 100 mA g À 1 ) and outstanding rate capability (320 mA h g À 1 at 4 A g À 1 after 300 cycles ) at room temperatures. Moreover, the optimal ZnS/MWCNTs shows superior electrochemical performance at low temperatures (À 10°C), delivering high reversible capacities of 230 mA h g À 1 at 1 A g À 1 after 400 cycles. These results make the ZnS/MWCNTs a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries, and our findings may offer a feasibility strategy to design other anode materials with good rate and low-temperature performance.

Preparation of Porous Zn0.76Co0.24S Yolk‐Shell Microspheres with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Sodium Ion Batteries

“…The peak of C and O elements can be observed due to the absorption of CO 2 , O 2 and H 2 O on the surface of samples and adventitious hydrocarbon from XPS instrument itself [21,36] . In Zn 2p spectrum (Figure 3b), two main peaks at 1044.5 eV and 1021.5 eV are indexed to 2p 3/2 and 2p 1/2 of Zn 2+ , respectively, demonstrating the Zn (II) oxidation state of ZCS‐140 sample [37–38] . Similarly, in Co 2p emission spectrum (Figure 3c), two main peaks at 781.5 eV and 797.5 eV are signed to 2p 1/2 and 2p 3/2 of Co 2+ , while other two peaks at 779.0 eV and 793.9 eV are ascribed to 2p 1/2 and 2p 3/2 of Co 3+ , confirming the both existing of Co (III) and Co(II) oxidation state in ZCS‐140 sample [39] .…”

“…[21,36] In Zn 2p spectrum (Figure 3b), two main peaks at 1044.5 eV and 1021.5 eV are indexed to 2p 3/2 and 2p 1/2 of Zn 2 + , respectively, demonstrating the Zn (II) oxidation state of ZCS-140 sample. [37][38] Similarly, in Co 2p emission spectrum (Figure 3c), two main peaks at 781.5 eV and 797.5 eV are signed to 2p 1/2 and 2p 3/2 of Co 2 + , while other two peaks at 779.0 eV and 793.9 eV are ascribed to 2p 1/2 and 2p 3/2 of Co 3 + , confirming the both existing of Co (III) and Co(II) oxidation state in ZCS-140 sample. [39] The fitted peaks at 803.0 and 785.5 eV are correspond to the shake-up satellite peaks of Co.…”

ZnS Nanoparticles‐decorated Composite Graphene Paper: A Novel Flexible Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Dopamine

“…The morphology and structure of as‐synthesized ZnS, GO and ZnS/GO was examined through TEM images in Figure 2. ZnS nanoparticles have a diameter of about 100 nm (Figure 2.a) [41]. GO was observed possessing a characteristic wrinkled sheet‐like structure in Figure 2.b [44].…”

“…3.0 mmol Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 ⋅ 2H 2 O (0.66 g) and 2.0 M thiourea (12.16 g) were dissolved into the above solution under magnetic stirring for 20 min. The obtained solution was transferred into 100 mL Teflon‐lined sealed autoclave and heated at 140 °C for 4 h. After cooling to the room temperature, the black product was washed thoroughly with DI and absolute ethanol several times [41]. The final product was obtained by drying the collected samples at 60 °C for 12 h under vacuum (Figure 1.a).…”

3D Carbon Networks: Design and Applications in Sodium Ion Batteries

“…The ordered porous structures rapidly infiltrated electrolytes into nanostructure and promote the contact between electrolytes and active materials, thereby greatly enhancing the transport rate of sodium ions. In the meantime, the porous structures also provide sufficient void spaces for the repeated volume changes of the charge/discharge products to minimize structural degradation of electrodes [9b,17c,23a,42] . Moreover, the existence of multi‐level pores are conducive to hosting sodium ions to increase the capacity of batteries without destroying the initial electrode structures [10a] .…”