FeS<sub>2</sub>@C nanorods embedded in three-dimensional graphene as high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries

doi:10.1007/s11706-020-0510-z

Front. Mater. Sci.

2020, Vol. 14

Issue (3) : 255-265 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-020-0510-z

RESEARCH ARTICLE

FeS₂@C nanorods embedded in three-dimensional graphene as high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries

Zhenxiao LU¹, Wenxian WANG¹(

), Jun ZHOU², Zhongchao BAI¹(

)

¹. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
². Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, PA 16563, USA

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Abstract

FeS₂ has drawn tremendous attention as electrode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and abundant resources. However, it suffers from severe volume expansion and dull reaction kinetics during the cycling process, leading to poor rate capacity and short cyclability. Herein, a well-designed FeS₂@C/G composite constructed by FeS₂ nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon nanorods (FeS₂@C) and covered by three-dimensional (3D) graphene is reported. FeS₂ nanoparticles can shorten the Na⁺ diffusion distance during the sodiation–desodiation process. Porous carbon nanorods and 3D graphene not only improve conductivity but also provide double protection to alleviate the volume variation of FeS₂ during cycling. Consequently, FeS₂@C/G exhibits excellent cyclability (83.3% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.5 A·g⁻¹ with a capacity of 615.1 mA·h·g⁻¹) and high rate capacity (475.1 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 5 A·g⁻¹ after 2000 cycles). The pseudocapacitive process is evaluated and confirmed to significantly contribute to the high rate capacity of FeS₂@C/G.

Keywords FeS₂ electrode material sodium-ion battery nanoparticles graphene

Corresponding Author(s): Wenxian WANG,Zhongchao BAI

Online First Date: 23 June 2020 Issue Date: 10 September 2020

Cite this article:

Zhenxiao LU,Wenxian WANG,Jun ZHOU, et al. FeS₂@C nanorods embedded in three-dimensional graphene as high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries[J]. Front. Mater. Sci., 2020, 14(3): 255-265.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/10.1007/s11706-020-0510-z
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/Y2020/V14/I3/255

Fig.1 (a)(b)(c) SEM images, (d) TEM image, (e) HRTEM image and (f) XRD pattern of FeS₂@C/G.

Fig.2 The FeS₂@C/G performance: (a) N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm (the inset presenting the pore size distribution); (b) Raman spectrum; (c)(d)(e)(f) XPS spectra of the survey range, C 1s, S 2p and N 1s.

Fig.3 (a) CV curves of FeS₂@C/G at a scan rate of 0.1 mV·s⁻¹. (b) Charge–discharge profiles of FeS₂@C/G at 0.5 A·g⁻¹. (c) Rate properties of FeS₂@C/G, FeS₂@CRG and FeS₂@C. (d) Rate capacity retention of FeS₂@C/G, FeS₂@CRG and FeS₂@C. (e) A comparison of rate performance of FeS₂@C/G with other reported FeS₂ electrodes for SIBs. (f) Cycling performance of FeS₂@C/G, FeS₂@CRG and FeS₂@C at 0.5 A·g⁻¹. (g) Long-term cycling performance of FeS₂@C/G at 5 A·g⁻¹.

Fig.4 The FeS₂@C/G electrode performance: (a) CV curves after 100 cycles; (b) b values; (c) pseudocapacitive current at a scan rate of 1.0 mV·s⁻¹; (d) capacitive contribution ratios.

Fig. S1 (a) Low-resolution and (b) high-resolution SEM images of FeS₂@C. (c) XRD pattern of FeS₂@C.

Fig. S2 SEM images of (a) α-FeOOH@C/graphene and (b) FeS₂@CRG. (c) XRD pattern of FeS₂@CRG.

Fig. S3 SEM images of (a) F-MIL nanorods and (b) F-MIL@GO.

Fig. S4 (a) TGA curve of FeS₂@C/G tested in air. (b) XRD pattern of the sample after calcination in air.

Fig. S5 XPS spectrum of Fe 2p.

Fig. S6 Charge–discharge profiles of FeS₂@CRG at 0.5 A·g⁻¹.

Fig. S7 Charge–discharge profiles of FeS₂@C at 0.5 A·g⁻¹.

Fig. S8 (a) Nyquist plots of FeS₂@C/G, FeS₂@C and FeS₂@CRG cell. (b) An enlargement of the high-frequency profiles.

Fig. S9 (a) Low-resolution and (b) high-resolution SEM images of the cycled FeS₂@C/G electrode after 100 cycles.

Fig. S10 Electrochemical performance: (a) cycle performance at 0.5 A·g⁻¹ of the FeS₂@C/G electrode when tested at 0.8–3 V; (b) the 100th charge–discharge profiles at 0.5 A·g⁻¹.

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