Superior sodium and lithium storage in strongly coupled amorphous Sb₂S₃ spheres and carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A facile one-step strategy involving the reaction of antimony chloride with thioacetamide at room temperature is successfully developed for the synthesis of strongly coupled amorphous Sb₂S₃ spheres and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Benefiting from the unique amorphous structure and its strongly coupled effect with the conductive network of CNTs, this hybrid electrode (Sb₂S₃@CNTs) exhibits remarkable sodium and lithium storage properties with high capacity, good cyclability, and prominent rate capability. For sodium storage, a high capacity of 814 mAh·g⁻¹ at 50 mA·g⁻¹ is delivered by the electrode, and a capacity of 732 mAh·g⁻¹ can still be obtained after 110 cycles. Even up to 2000 mA·g⁻¹, a specific capacity of 584 mAh·g⁻¹ can be achieved. For lithium storage, the electrode exhibits high capacities of 1136 and 704 mAh·g⁻¹ at 100 and 2000 mA·g⁻1, respectively. Moreover, the cell holds a capacity of 1104 mAh·g⁻1 under 100 mA·g⁻1 over 110 cycles. Simple preparation and remarkable electrochemical properties make the Sb₂S₃@CNTs electrode a promising anode for both sodium-ion (SIBs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Keywords

amorphous antimony sulfide spheres / carbon nanotubes / sodium-ion batteries / lithium-ion batteries / electrochemical performance

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