Benzoate anion derived carbon-encapsulated NiS nanoparticles as a freestanding cathode for magnesium-based batteries

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Due to its wide diffusion channels and high electronic conductivity , conversion-type transition metal-based chalcogenide cathode materials are endowed greater potential to implement high capacity in Mg-based batteries. However, large coulombic interactions and sluggish kinetics at high charge density perplex its electrochemical performance, and application of which is also seriously hindered by large volume expansion. Herein, we design a facile approach to in-situ fabricate ultrafine and well-dispersive carbon encapsulated NiS nanoparticles anchored on carbon cloth (NiS@C NPs/CC) through one-step carbonization and sulfuration of benzoate anion-intercalated Ni(OH) 2 on CC. The as-prepared NiS@C NPs/CC is employed as the binder-free cathode material for hybrid Mg 2+ /Li + batteries (MLIBs), whose energy storage capability is largely enhanced due to well-dispersive NiS nanoparticles. The MLIB assembled with NiS@C NPs/CC cathode implements a superior reversible capacity of 437 mAh g −1 at 100 mA g −1 and exhibits long lifespan. Its small diameter of 13.2 nm greatly shortens the ion transport pathway, and traits of carbon confinement and self-assembly synergistically boost electric conductivity at the same time, which contribute to the impressive electrochemical performance. This work not only realizes favorable synthesis of ultrafine and well-dispersive nanoparticles materials derived from the intercalation of organic-anion, but inaugurates a novel avenue for the rational design of carbon coated binder-free electrode for applications. Ultrafine and well-dispersive carbon encapsulated NiS nanoparticles were successfully fabricated on carbon cloth, which is testified to be an excellent binder-free cathode in Mg 2+ /Li + batteries. The energy storage capability can be largely enhanced since the configuration of well-dispersive NiS nanoparticles greatly shorts the ion transport pathway and the traits of carbon confinement and self-assembly synergistically boost the electric conductivity. • This work reports a strategy to synthesize well-dispersive carbon wrapped NiS nanoparticles anchored on carbon cloth. • The configuration of homogeneous nanoparticles vastly shorts ion transport pathway and enlarges expansion space. • The characteristics of carbon confinement and self-assembly synergistically accelerate electric conductivity. • The MLIB assembled with NiS@C NPs/CC cathode implements a superior reversible capacity and exhibits long lifespan.