Template-Free Synthesis of SbS Hollow Microspheres as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Hierarchical SbS hollow microspheres assembled by nanowires have been successfully synthesized by a simple and practical hydrothermal reaction. The possible formation process of this architecture was investigated by X-ray diffraction, focused-ion beam-scanning electron microscopy dual-beam system, and transmission electron microscopy. When used as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries, SbS hollow microspheres manifest excellent rate property and enhanced lithium-storage capability and can deliver a discharge capacity of 674 mAh g at a current density of 200 mA g after 50 cycles. Even at a high current density of 5000 mA g, a discharge capacity of 541 mAh g is achieved. SbS hollow microspheres also display a prominent sodium-storage capacity and maintain a reversible discharge capacity of 384 mAh g at a current density of 200 mA g after 50 cycles. The remarkable lithium/sodium-storage property may be attributed to the synergetic effect of its nanometer size and three-dimensional hierarchical architecture, and the outstanding stability property is attributed to the sufficient interior void space, which can buffer the volume expansion.