SnS/SnSb@C Nanofibers with Enhanced Cycling Stability via Vulcanization as an Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Exploring resource-abundant and high-performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries remains a critical challenge in current research. For example, the practical applications of sodium-ion batteries are restricted by the severe volume variation of active materials on the anode, which often results in irreversible capacity loss and poor cycling performance. Utilizing the different redox potential of metals is shown to be an effective way to alleviating volume changes. Here, we demonstrate that SnS/SnSb-nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanofibers (SnS/SnSb@C) prepared via vulcanization are a promising candidate as the anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The resultant SnS/SnSb@C composites show an impressive electrochemical performance, featuring a large discharge capacity (1028mAhg(-1) at 50mAg(-1)), rate capability (159mAhg(-1) at 2Ag(-1)), and excellent cycling stability (270mAhg(-1) at 200mAg(-1) after 200cycles). The different sodiation/desodiation potential of Sn and Sb in the SnS/SnSb@C composite helps to alleviate the volume expansion during cycling, and the defects within carbon nanofibers caused by sulfur doping further promote fast ion and electron transport in sodium-ion batteries.