Lemongrass-like Bi2S3 as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Metal sulfides possess great potential for high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, Bi2S3 with a lemongrass-like morphology was successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal growth, followed by subsequent calcination. When employed as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, the Bi2S3 showed a high reversible capacity, a better cycling stability, and a superior rate performance. A reversible capacity of 686 mAh g−1 was obtained at a current density of 200 mA g−1 after 150 cycles. When the current density was increased to 2000 mA g−1, Bi2S3 could deliver a capacity of more than 400 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. This excellent electrochemical performance could be attributed to the featured structure of lemongrass-like Bi2S3, which can accommodate volume changes, shorten the ionic diffusion path, and enlarge the material/electrolyte contact area.