Facile Synthesis of ZnS/N,S Co-doped Carbon Composite from Zinc Metal Complex for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

ZnS coated on N,S co-doped carbon (ZnS/NSC) composite has been prepared utilizing zinc pyrithione (C10H8N2O2S2Zn) as raw material via calcination. Through activation using Na2CO3 salt, ZnS nanoparticles encapsulated in NSC (denoted as A-ZnS/NSC) with mixed-crystal structure has also been obtained, which reveals much larger specific surface area and more bridges between ZnS and NSC. Based on the existence of bridges (C-S-Zn and S-O-Zn bonds) and the modification of carbon from N,S co-doping, the A-ZnS/NSC composite as an anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) displays significantly enhanced electrochemical performances with a high reversible specific capacity of 516.6 mA h g-1 (at 100 mA g-1), outstanding cycling stability (96.9% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 100 mA g-1), and high rate behavior (364.9 mA h g-1 even at 800 mA g-1).