Biphasic Fe7S8@MnS heterostructure embedded in sulfur-doped carbon matrix as anode for Li-ion batteries

Transition metal chalcogenides have been regarded as promising anode candidates for lithium-ion batteries, featured by their high capacity and abundant material choice. However, their practical implementation was hindered by the poor reaction kinetics and rapid capacity fading due to their low electronic conductivity and severe volume variation upon the (de-)lithiation processes. Here, we have successfully fabricated the biphasic Fe7S8@MnS heterostructure embedded in sulfur-doped carbon matrix by direct sulfidation of Fe/ Mn bimetal-organic frameworks. The biphasic heterostructure and the porous carbon frameworks can create abundant phase boundaries and multiple conductive channels for change transfer, thus improving the electronic conductivity and contact area with electrolyte, leading to facilitated charge transfer cap-ability. As a result, the Fe7S8@MnS/C composites exhibit superior lithium storage performance with a specific capacity of 917 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and maintain at 581 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g-1. This work provides an efficient strategy for constructing multiphase nanomaterials towards high performance anodes for Li-ion batteries. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Transition metal chalcogenides have been considered promising anode candidates for lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity and abundant material choices. The biphasic Fe7S8@MnS heterostructure embedded in sulfur-doped carbon matrix was successfully fabricated, exhibiting superior lithium storage performance. This work provides an efficient strategy for constructing multiphase nanomaterials towards high-performance anodes for Li-ion batteries.