Construction of sandwich-type Co9S8-C anchored on carbonized melamine foam toward lithium-ion battery

Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on carbonized melamine foam with polydopamine derived carbon coating (CMF-Co9S8-C) was successfully constructed for advanced lithium-ion battery anode. The sandwich-type structure consists of massive Co9S8 NPs and dual N-doped carbon layers that not only accommodate the volume expansion effect but also shortens the transfer distance of Li+/e(-). Moreover, the nanocomposite inherits 3D carbon network with hierarchical porous structure, which is beneficial for providing sufficient transport channels and contacting with electrolyte. With the prominent synergistic effects from structure and chemical properties, CMF-Co9S8-C hybrid compound exhibited high specific capacity of 645 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) after 200 cycles, and it delivered excellent cycling stability (520 mAh g(-1)) under a high current (2 A g(-1)) after 1000 cycles. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.