Sb2S3@YP Nanostructured Anode Material Synthesized by a Novel Vaporization-Condensation Method for Long Cycle-Life Sodium-Ion Battery

Abstract

Sb2S3 is recognized as a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries because of its low toxicity and high theoretical capacity of 946 mAh g−1. However, it usually suffers from a severe capacity decay during the charge/discharge processes mainly caused by their inferior electronic conductivities and large volume change. Currently, the preparation of Sb2S3-based anode materials is limited to conventional hydrothermal (solvothermal) or solution methods. In this study, a novel vaporization-condensation method is successfully employed to prepare nanocomposites between Sb2S3 and active carbon (YP80F carbon). During the vaporization-condensation process, Sb2S3 can be reformed and confined within the nanopores of YP80F carbon, obtaining surprising high performance anode materials (Sb2S3@YP samples) for Na-ion batteries. the nanopores of carbon can accommodate the large volume of Sb2S3 variation during charge/discharge process and enable a fast electron/Na-ion transfer. One of these Sb2S3@YP samples delivers a high capacity of 799.5 mAh g−1 at 1162 mA g−1, and maintains at 476.5 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles (based on the mass of Sb2S3). In addition, this vaporization-condensation method provides a significant strategy for preparing Sb2S3-based anode materials for long cycle-life sodium-ion batteries.