Construction of WS2/NC@C nanoflake composites as performance-enhanced anodes for sodium-ion batteries

• Published in: Nanoscale Vol. 16; no. 15; pp. 7660 - 7669
• Main Authors: Yuan, Chun, Liu, Baolin, Zhang, Hongyu, Ma, Huan, Lu, Zhenjiang, Xie, Jing, Hu, Jindou, Cao, Yali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 18.04.2024
• Subjects: Carbon; Charge transfer; Metal sulfides; Sodium; Sodium-ion batteries; Storage capacity; Tungsten disulfide
• ISSN: 2040-3364; 2040-3372
• DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00579a

The development of layered metal sulfides with stable structure and accessible active sites is of great importance for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, a simple liquid-mixing method is elaborately designed to immobilize WS2 nanoflakes on N-doped carbon (NC), then further coat carbon to produce WS2/NC@C. In the formation process of this composite, the presence of NC not only avoids the overlap and improves the dispersion of WS2 nanoflakes, but also creates a connection network for charge transfer, where the wrapped carbon provides a stable chemical and electrochemical reaction interface. Thus, the composite of WS2/NC@C exhibits the desired Na+ storage capacity as anticipated. The reversible capacity reaches the high value of 369.8 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, while excellent rate performances and cycle life are also acquired in that capacity values of 256.7 and 219.6 mA h g−1 at 1 and 5 A g−1 are preserved after 1000 cycles, respectively. In addition, the assembled sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs, AC//WS2/NC@C) exhibit an energy/power density of 68 W h kg−1 at 64 W kg−1, and capacity retention of 82.9% at 1 A g−1 after 2000 cycles. The study provides insight into developing layered metal sulfides with eminent performance of Na+ storage.