High Electrochemical Performance of Nanotube Structured ZnS as Anode Material for Lithium⁻Ion Batteries

Green synthesis of carbon-supported ultrafine ZnS nanoparticles for superior lithium-ion batteries

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity, abundance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Herein, a hydrangea-like ZnS-carbon composite (ZnS-NC) is synthesized through the hydrothermal method and subsequent pyrolysis of a supramolecular precursor guanosine. The resulting composite comprises ultrafine ZnS nanoparticles firmly stabilized on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix, featuring mesoporous channels and high surface areas. When utilized as an anode material for LIBs, the initial discharge specific capacity of the ZnS-NC electrode reaches an impressive value of 944 mA h g-1 at 1.0 A g-1, and even after 450 cycles, it maintains a reversible capacity of 597 mA h g-1. Compared with pure ZnS, the ZnS-NC composite exhibits significantly improved rate performance and cycling stability. This enhancement in Li-storage performance can be attributed to a synergistic effect within the ZnS-NC composite, which arises from the large exposed active site area, efficient ion/electron transfer, and strong interaction between the ZnS nanoparticles and the carbon framework. Overall, this work presents an eco-friendly approach for developing metal sulfide-carbon composites with exceptional potential for energy storage applications.

Synthesis of core-shell ZnS@C micron-rods as advanced anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Zinc sulfide (ZnS), is considered as a candidate anode materials to replace commercial graphite anode for high performance LIBs. However, the huge volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process, lead to...

Multifunctional ionic liquid-assisted interfacial engineering towards ZnS nanodots with ultrastable high-rate lithium storage performance

In this article, a new zinc-containing ionic liquid (IL) [HMMIm]₂[ZnCl₄] (HMMIm = 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium) is designed, which acts as a multifunctional source for the interfacial engineering of ZnS nanodots (NDs). Given the electrostatic interaction driven by the imidazolium cation, the steric effect of the alkyl chain, and the in situ released Zn ion from the IL, [HMMIm]₂[ZnCl₄] shows great advantages in controlling the formation of ZnS NDs. Based on this strategy, a nanocomposite consisting of homodispersed ZnS NDs anchored on sulfur/nitrogen dual-doped reduced graphene oxide (ZnS-NDs@SNG) is prepared. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the nanocomposite delivers high reversible specific capacity, excellent high-rate performance, and superior cycling life. In particular, a discharge capacity of 648.1 mA h g^-1 can be achieved at a high current density (10.0 A g^-1) over 5000 cycles. Benefitting from the multifunctional IL and the simple synthesis protocol, the IL-assisted interfacial engineering strategy will enable a new avenue for the controllable synthesis of metal-sulfide-based anode materials.

Special Issue: Advances in Electrochemical Energy Materials

Electrochemical energy storage is becoming essential for portable electronics, electrified transportation, integration of intermittent renewable energy into grids, and many other energy or power applications. The electrode materials and their structures, in addition to the electrolytes, play key roles in supporting a multitude of coupled physicochemical processes that include electronic, ionic, and diffusive transport in electrode and electrolyte phases, electrochemical reactions and material phase changes, as well as mechanical and thermal stresses, thus determining the storage energy density and power density, conversion efficiency, performance lifetime, and system cost and safety. Different material chemistries and multiscale porous structures are being investigated for high performance and low cost. The aim of this Special Issue is to report the recent advances of materials used in electrochemical energy storage that encompasses supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries.

Towards establishing standard performance metrics for batteries, supercapacitors and beyond

Electrochemical energy storage (EES) materials and devices should be evaluated against clear and rigorous metrics to realize the true promises as well as the limitations of these fast-moving technologies.