Microwave-Assisted Fabrication of High Energy Density Binary Metal Sulfides for Enhanced Performance in Battery Applications

Nanomaterials have found use in a number of relevant energy applications. In particular, nanoscale motifs of binary metal sulfides can function as conversion materials, similar to that of analogous metal oxides, nitrides, or phosphides, and are characterized by their high theoretical capacity and correspondingly low cost. This review focuses on structure-composition-property relationships of specific relevance to battery applications, emanating from systematic attempts to either (1) vary and alter the dimension of nanoscale architectures or (2) introduce conductive carbon-based entities, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene-derived species. In this study, we will primarily concern ourselves with probing metal sulfide nanostructures generated by a microwave-mediated synthetic approach, which we have explored extensively in recent years. This particular fabrication protocol represents a relatively facile, flexible, and effective means with which to simultaneously control both chemical composition and physical morphology within these systems to tailor them for energy storage applications.

Construction of CuO/In2S3/ZnO heterostructure arrays for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency

Novel one-dimensional (1D) heterostructure arrays composed of CuO nanowire cores, intermediate In₂S₃ nanostructures, and ZnO nanorod sheaths (i.e. CuO/In₂S₃/ZnO heterostructure arrays) have been successfully synthesized by a multi-step process. First, single-crystalline CuO nanowires were directly grown on flexible Cu mesh substrates using a one-step annealing process under ambient conditions. Second, In₂S₃ nanostructures and ZnO nanorods were sequentially grown on the CuO nanowires by a two-step hydrothermal method at low reaction temperature. The morphology, crystal structures, and optical properties of the CuO/In₂S₃/ZnO heterostructure arrays were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The resultant ternary CuO/In₂S₃/ZnO heterostructure arrays exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of rhodamine 6G (R6G) under 10 W UV light irradiation, which is much higher than that of single-component (CuO nanowire arrays) or two-component systems (CuO/In₂S₃ heterostructure arrays). Furthermore, the reusability test demonstrates that the CuO/In₂S₃/ZnO heterostructure arrays on the Cu mesh still maintain high photocatalytic activity in the degradation of three kinds of organic pollutants even after five cycles, without any significant decline. These findings provide an insight into the design and synthesis of new CuO-based composites to effectively improve their photocatalytic performance.

High lithium anodic performance of N-doped porous biocarbon-integrated indium sulfide thin nanosheets

Mesoporous indium(iii)sulfide grafts with N-doped porous biocarbon via cost effective wet ball milling, and exhibits a stable capacity of around 407 and 241 mA h g⁻¹ (at 4.0 and 10.0 A g⁻¹), making it a promising alternative anode material for lithium ion batteries.

A method to construct perfect 3D polymer/graphene oxide core–shell microspheres via electrostatic self-assembly

In this study, a method to construct perfect three-dimensional (3D) polymer/graphene oxide (GO) core–shell microspheres was proposed via electrostatic self-assembly.

Graphene-based nanocomposite anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Graphene-based nanocomposites have been demonstrated to be promising high-capacity anodes for lithium ion batteries to satisfy the ever-growing demands for higher capacity, longer cycle life and better high-rate performance. Synergetic effects between graphene and the introduced second-phase component are generally observed. In this feature review article, we will focus on the recent work on four different categories of graphene-based nanocomposite anodes by us and others: graphene-transitional metal oxide, graphene-Sn/Si/Ge, graphene-metal sulfide, and graphene-carbon nanotubes. For the supported materials on graphene, we will emphasize the non-zero dimensional (non-particle) morphologies such as two dimensional nanosheet/nanoplate and one dimensional nanorod/nanofibre/nanotube morphologies. The synthesis strategies and lithium-ion storage properties of these highlighted electrode morphologies are distinct from those of the commonly obtained zero dimensional nanoparticles. We aim to stress the importance of structure matching in the composites and their morphology-dependent lithium-storage properties and mechanisms.

Nanostructured metal sulfides for energy storage

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.