In2S3 nanosheets anchored on N-doped carbon fibers for improved lithium storage performances

Metal sulfides are interesting materials for utilization as anodes in Li-ion Batteries (LIBs). However, the poor conductivity and huge volume change during the discharge/charge cycles severely limit their potential application. In the present work, a sheet-on-fiber structure of In2S3@N-doped carbon (In2S3@N-Carbon) is designed through a hydrothermal method, and the materials were characterized by methods of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. When applied to LIBs, In2S3@N-Carbon shows better electrochemical performances in comparison to pristine In2S3. In2S3@N-Carbon retains a reversible capacity of 485 mA h g(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g(-1), which is significantly higher than that (34.6 mA h g(-1)) of pure In2S3. The enhanced electrochemical properties of In2S3@N-Carbon nanocomposite are attributed to the N-doped carbon fibers, which enhances the conductivity and relaxes the volume expansion of electrodes. This study provides a rational design of nanostructure for high-performance anode materials.