Colloidal Antimony Sulfide Nanoparticles as a High-Performance Anode Material for Li-ion and Na-ion Batteries

To maximize the anodic charge storage capacity of Li-ion and Na-ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs, respectively), the conversion-alloying-type Sb2S3 anode has attracted considerable interest because of its merits of a high theoretical capacity of 946 mAh g-1 and a suitable anodic lithiation/delithiation voltage window of 0.1-2 V vs. Li+/Li. Recent advances in nanostructuring of the Sb2S3 anode provide an effective way of mitigating the challenges of structure conversion and volume expansion upon lithiation/sodiation that severely hinder the Sb2S3 cycling stability. In this context, we report uniformly sized colloidal Sb2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) as a model Sb2S3 anode material for LIBs and SIBs to investigate the effect of the primary particle size on the electrochemical performance of the Sb2S3 anode. We found that compared with microcrystalline Sb2S3, smaller ca. 20-25 nm and ca. 180-200 nm Sb2S3 NPs exhibit enhanced cycling stability as anode materials in both rechargeable LIBs and SIBs. Importantly, for the ca. 20-25 nm Sb2S3 NPs, a high initial Li-ion storage capacity of 742 mAh g-1 was achieved at a current density of 2.4 A g-1. At least 55% of this capacity was retained after 1200 cycles, which is among the most stable performance Sb2S3 anodes for LIBs.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries using Sb2S3 nanorods wrapped in graphene nanosheets as anode materials

Antimony sulfide can be used as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity derived from sequential conversion and alloying lithium insertion reactions. However, the volume variation during the lithiation/delithiation process leads to capacity fading and cyclic instability. We report a facile, one-pot hydrothermal strategy to prepare Sb₂S₃ nanorods wrapped in graphene sheets that are promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The graphene sheets serve a dual function: as heterogeneous nucleation centers in the formation process of Sb₂S₃ nanorods, and as a structural buffer to accommodate the volume variation during the cycling process. The resulting composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with a highly reversible specific capacity of ∼910 mA h g^-1, cycling at 100 mA g^-1, as well as good rate capability and cyclic stability derived from their unique structural features.

Template-Free Synthesis of Sb2S3 Hollow Microspheres as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Hierarchical Sb₂S₃ hollow microspheres assembled by nanowires have been successfully synthesized by a simple and practical hydrothermal reaction. The possible formation process of this architecture was investigated by X-ray diffraction, focused-ion beam-scanning electron microscopy dual-beam system, and transmission electron microscopy. When used as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries, Sb₂S₃ hollow microspheres manifest excellent rate property and enhanced lithium-storage capability and can deliver a discharge capacity of 674 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 200 mA g^-1 after 50 cycles. Even at a high current density of 5000 mA g^-1, a discharge capacity of 541 mAh g^-1 is achieved. Sb₂S₃ hollow microspheres also display a prominent sodium-storage capacity and maintain a reversible discharge capacity of 384 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 200 mA g^-1 after 50 cycles. The remarkable lithium/sodium-storage property may be attributed to the synergetic effect of its nanometer size and three-dimensional hierarchical architecture, and the outstanding stability property is attributed to the sufficient interior void space, which can buffer the volume expansion.

The S-hindered synthesis of PbSe/PbS nanosheets with enhanced electrochemical activities

A one-step synthesis of PbSe/PbS nanosheets for a Li ion battery.