Nanocapsule of MnS Nanopolyhedron Core@CoS Nanoparticle/Carbon Shell@Pure Carbon Shell as Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium Storage

Abstract

MnS has been explored as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity, but low electronic conductivity and severe volume change induce low reversible capacity and poor cycling performance. In this work, the nanocapsule consisting of MnS nanopolyhedrons confined in independent, closed and conductive hollow polyhedral nanospheres is prepared by embedding MnCO3 nanopolyhedrons into ZIF-67, followed by coating of RF resin and gaseous sulfurization/carbonization. Benefiting from the unique nanocapsule structure, especially inner CoS/C shell and outer pure C shell, the MnS@CoS/C@C composite as anode material presents excellent cycling performance (674 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 300 cycles; 481 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 300 cycles) and superior rate capability (1133.3 and 650.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 and 4 A g−1), compared to the control materials (MnS and MnS@CoS/C) and other MnS composites. Kinetics measurements further reveal a high proportion of the capacitive effect and low reaction impedance of MnS@CoS/C@C. SEM and TEM observation on the cycled electrode confirms superior structural stability of MnS@CoS/C@C during long-term cycles. Excellent lithium storage performance and the convenient synthesis strategy demonstrates that the MnS@CoS/C@C nanocapsule is a promising high-performance anode material.