Bimetallic sulfides based hybrid anodes are constructed for high-performance lithium ion batteries

Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are considered as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in virtue of their high theoretical specific capacity, low cost and environmental friendliness. However, the intrinsic poor electron/ion transport, large volume change and the shuttle effect of polysulfides hinder their achievement of superb rate capability and cycle performance. Compared with the monometallic sulfides, bimetallic sulfides have superior electron transport capability and higher electrochemical activity. In this work, bimetallic CuCo₂S₄ nanomaterial is in-situ synthesized on copper foam (CF) substrate by a facile hydrothermal method. Benefiting from the introduction of heteroatoms and the construction of integrated hybrid structure, the bimetallic CuCo₂S₄/CF anode delivers a high specific capacity of ∼1707 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C and maintains ∼84 % of the initial capacity after 1000 cycles at 1.6 C (1 C = 1 A g^-1). This work provides a strategy to utilize bimetallic sulfides as well as construct hybrid electrode of sulfides and conductive metallic frameworks.