Natural stibnite ore (Sb₂S₃) embedded in sulfur-doped carbon sheets: enhanced electrochemical properties as anode for sodium ions storage

Abstract

Antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃) has drawn widespread attention as an ideal candidate anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high specific capacity of 946 mA h g^-1 in conversion and alloy reactions. Nevertheless, volume expansion, a common flaw for conversion-alloy type materials during the sodiation and desodiation processes, is bad for the structure of materials and thus obstructs the application of antimony sulfide in energy storage. A common approach to solve this problem is by introducing carbon or other matrices as buffer material. However, the common preparation of Sb₂S₃ could result in environmental pollution and excessive energy consumption in most cases. To incorporate green chemistry, natural stibnite ore (Sb₂S₃) after modification <i>via</i> carbon sheets was applied as a first-hand material in SIBs through a facile and efficient strategy. The unique composites exhibited an outstanding electrochemical performance with a higher reversible capacity, a better rate capability, as well as an excellent cycling stability compared to that of the natural stibnite ore. In short, the study is expected to offer a new approach to improve Sb₂S₃ composites as an anode in SIBs and a reference for the development of natural ore as a first-hand material in energy storage.