Homogeneous triple-phase interfaces enabling one-pot route to metal compound/carbon composites

Metal compounds (e.g., metal phosphides/sulfides/selenides) coupled with carbon materials have recently drawn great attraction for boosting the electrochemical performances because of their appealing synergistic effect and valuable structural stability. Despite many examples for their synthesis exist, there is still a need for a simplistic and comprehensive approach to such metal compound/carbon (MC/C) composites. Herein, an effective, facile, yet versatile strategy to produce various types of MC/C composites is presented. Key to this strategy is construction of a homogeneous triple-phase interface, which is realized by utilization of a hybrid assembly integrated with carbon, metal and sulfide (or selenide, phosphide) precursors through coupling metal cations with anion groups of a functional polymer. Such an intimately binding carbon-metal-sulfide (or selenide, phosphide) interface structure enables the successful in situ generation of MC nanoparticles uniformly encapsulated into the carbon matrix just after a one-step carbonization treatment. The present synthetic strategy provides remarkable adjustability, predictability and generality to facilely fabricate a series of MC/C composites, offering sufficient freedom to explore their unique energy storage/conversation properties. As a proof of concept, the as-prepared SnS/C composite exhibits superior lithium ion and potassium ion storage capabilities when used as anode materials for alkali-metal ion batteries. The present work provides impressive insights into the design principles for MC/C composites that are the potential materials in targeted application fields, and opens up an efficacious avenue for their facile synthesis as well.