Tailoring MSx Quantum Dots (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) for Advanced Energy Storage Materials with Strong Interfacial Engineering

Metal sulfides, as vital members of electrodes materials, still suffer from serious volume expansion and polysulfides shuttling. Herein, through inexpensive and high efficiency chemical-bonding/hydrophobic-association methods, a series of metal-sulfides quantum dots (QDs) with large-scale synthesis (≈100 g) is successfully prepared, further forming low-dimensional composites with high redox activity. For the derived electrodes samples, with the increasing of outer electron numbers (Co2+ /Ni2+ /Cu2+ /Zn2+ ), interfacial coupling is significantly modified. Among them, nanoscale ZnS@double carbon with rich interfacial Zn-O/S-C bonds displays remarkable electrochemical activity, with the capacity of ≈1000 mAh g-1 after 100 loops. Through tailoring double carbons and interfacial merits, in situ sulfur formation is stabilized, and the cycling stability of Zn-based samples can increase up to 4000 cycles. Even at 5.0 A g-1 after 1500 cycles, the full-cells capacity can reach up to ≈380 mAh g-1 . Supported by detailed kinetic analysis and ex situ technologies, the enhanced interfacial capacitances and ions moving are confirmed for the improved electrochemical properties. Given this, the work is expected to boost future developments of mineral processing, and QDs preparation, whilst providing effective strategies for advanced electrode materials.