Rational combination of α-MnS/rGO nanocomposites for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

An alpha-MnS/rGO nanocomposite has been synthesized by forming homogeneous cubic alpha-MnS nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide by a facile hydrothermal method. The obtained alpha-MnS/rGO nanocomposite has been employed as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and shown greatly enhanced performance with a higher specific capacity and better cycling stability than the pure alpha-MnS nanoparticles. At a current density of 0.2 A g(-1), the initial discharge (lithiation) and charge (delithiation) capacities of the alpha-MnS/rGO nanocomposite are 1215 mA h g(-1) and 716 mA h g(-1), respectively, and the discharge capacity still remains at 670 mA h g(-1) even after 100 cycles. Compared with the pure alpha-MnS nanoparticles, the alpha-MnS/rGO nanocomposite has high conductivity, large surface area and mitigative structural strain, which could be beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance. These results along with its high specific capacity and good cycling and rate capability suggest that the alpha-MnS/rGO nanocomposite would be a promising candidate as an anode material for high-performance LIBs.