Antimony nanoparticles anchored on interconnected carbon nanofibers networks as advanced anode material for sodium-ion batteries

Interconnected carbon nanofibers networks (ICNNs) prepared through the carbonization of polypyrrole (PPy) precursor are utilized as conductive pathways and buffer to improve the Na storage performance of antimony (Sb) as anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The as-obtained Sb/ICNNs composite exhibits excellent cycle stability. The reversible capacity can remain 542.5 mAh g(-1), with a high capacity retention of 96.7% after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g(-1). And the superior rate performance is also observed, the reversible capacity can still reach 325 mAh g(-1) at a high current density of 3200 mA g(-1). These great electrochemical performances observed above suggest that this type of composite can be a nice option for advanced SIBs anode materials and may be extended to other active materials/ICNNs composite electrode. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.