Mesh-structured N-doped graphene@Sb₂Se₃ hybrids as an anode for large capacity sodium-ion batteries

A mesh-structured N-doped graphene@Sb₂Se₃ (NGS) hybrid was one-pot prepared to realize N-doping, nanostructuring and hybridization for a sodium-ion battery anode to deliver much larger reversible specific capacity, faster interfacial electron transfer rate, better ionic and electronic transport, higher rate performance and longer cycle life stability in comparison to the plain Sb₂Se₃ one. The better performance is ascribed to the unique intertwined porous mash-like structure associated with a strong synergistic effect of N-doped graphene for dramatic improvement of electronic and ionic conductivity by the unique porous structure, the specific capacity of graphene from N doping and fast interfacial electron transfer rate by N-doping induced surface effect and the structure-shortening insertion/desertion pathway of Na⁺. The detail electrochemical process on the NGS electrode is proposed and analyzed in terms of the experimental results.