Fabrication of an anode composed of a N, S co-doped carbon nanotube hollow architecture with CoS₂ confined within: toward Li and Na storage

Abstract

Over the years, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) have attracted ample attention from researchers on account of their high theoretical capacity, through which they show great potential for use in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, there are some serious obstacles (particle pulverization and large volume change) still in the way to achieving satisfactory cycling performance and rate property. Here, we report the preparation of a N, S co-doped carbon nanotube hollow architecture confining CoS₂ (CoS₂/NSCNHF) derived from bimetal-organic-frameworks. The rationally designed structure possesses excellent Li⁺/Na⁺ storage performances. Further investigation of the Li⁺/Na⁺ storage behavior indicated the presence of a partial pseudocapacitive contribution, facilitating the fast Li⁺/Na⁺ interaction/extraction process and thus giving it superb electrochemical property. This work may represent an important step forward in the fabrication of MOF-derived hierarchical hybrids combined with a hollow structure and TMCs to help such TMCs achieve their potential in energy storage systems.