Nanoconfined ReS2 in biomass-derived 3D porous N-doped carbon architecture as anode for stable lithium-ion storage

Abstract

Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) has emerged as a promissing host material toward energy storage for its distinctive electronic, optical, and mechanical features. Nevertheless, structural damage during repeated charge-discharges and inferior conductivity have severely impaired the electrochemical performance of ReS2. Effective incorporation with carbon component is a feasible pathway to cope with these issues. In this work, employing glucosamine as carbon and nitrogen sources, small ReS2 nanoparticles are easily encapsulated into hierarchical porous N-doped carbon networks to obtain ReS2NC hybrids via a freeze-drying and subsequent annealing method. The hierarchical porous structure and the confining effect of carbon matrix on ReS2 nanoparticles can effectively inhibit the aggregation, maintain the structural stability as well as guarantee the rapid ion diffusion and electron transfer. As a consequence, ReS2NC hybrid anode achieves an extremely improved electrochemical property for lithium-storage. The optimized ReS2NC electrode can remain a high capacity of ~676 mAh g−1 as 500 cycles under 0.1 A g−1 are completed. Besides, as it cycles for 500 loops under 1 A g−1, a capacity of ~387 mAh g−1 is still kept, demonstrating enhanced rate capability.