In Situ Embedment of ZnS Nanocrystals in High Porosity Carbon Fibers as an Advanced Anode Material for Efficient Lithium Storage

doi:10.1007/s40195-022-01481-9

Abstract

Abstract:

ZnS is a promising material for lithium-ion battery anodes due to its abundant natural resources, simplicity of synthesis, and high theoretical lithium storage capacity. However, it needs to be optimized for its low conductivity and volume effect during the charge-discharge process. The traditional method of combining with carbonaceous materials is usually laborious, and the required sulfuration process may possibly result in the destruction of materials morphology. In this study, hybrid materials formed by the combination of ZnS nanocrystals and high porosity carbon fibers were synthesized by one-step electrospinning using zinc diethyldithiocarbamate and polyacrylonitrile as raw materials and poly (ethylene glycol)—block-poly (propylene glycol)—block-poly (ethylene glycol) as template. The method is simple and avoids the influence of sulfuration process on the morphology of materials. The composite presents a specific capacity of 592.2 mAh g⁻¹ under a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles. The porous structure significantly decreases the diffusion mean-free path of Li⁺ and inhibits the volume effect associated with the lithium storage process of ZnS. In addition, the 3D cross-linked carbon fibers improve the conductivity of materials. This study can serve as an inspiration for the development of other lithium storage composites.

Key words: Electrospinning, ZnS, Carbon fibers, Porous, Lithium storage

Wei Wang, Mingyu Guan, Qinghua Wang, Yangyang Chen, Liang Chen, Hong Yin, Yucan Zhu, Gangyong Li, Zhaohui Hou. In Situ Embedment of ZnS Nanocrystals in High Porosity Carbon Fibers as an Advanced Anode Material for Efficient Lithium Storage[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2023, 36(1): 167-176.

Figures/Tables 6

Scheme 1 Representation of the synthesis of ZnS/PCFs materials

Fig. 1 XRD patterns a, Raman spectrum b, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms c, and BJH size distribution with the inset of corresponding BET surface area and pore volume d of ZnS/CFs-1, ZnS/CFs-1.5, ZnS/CFs-2 and ZnS/PCFs

Fig. 2 XPS survey spectra a, C 1s b, Zn 2p c, and S 2p d of ZnS/CFs-1.5 and ZnS/PCFs

Fig. 3 SEM images a, low- b and high-magnification TEM images c of ZnS/CFs-1.5. SEM images d, low- e and high-magnification TEM images f, HRTEM image g, selected area electron diffraction pattern h, EDS-mapping image i of ZnS/PCFs

Fig. 4 Cyclic voltammograms at 0.5 mV s?1 a, 1st, 2nd and 5th galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles at 200 mA g?1 b for ZnS/PCFs. Cycling performance at 200 mA g?1 c, rate performance at different current densities of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1200 mA g?1 d, long cycling performance at 1 A g?1 e for ZnS/CFs-1, ZnS/CFs-1.5, ZnS/CFs-2 and ZnS/PCFs

Fig. 5 Cyclic voltammograms of the ZnS/PCFs at various scan rates a, b value fitting of ZnS/PCFs b. GITT curves c and the corresponding Li+ diffusion coefficient d at different discharge states of ZnS/CFs-1, ZnS/CFs-1.5, ZnS/CFs-2 and ZnS/PCFs

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