SbPS4: A novel anode for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

Abstract With the in-depth research of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), the development of novel sodium-ion anode material has become a top priority. In this work, tube cluster-shaped SbPS4 was synthesized by a high-temperature solid phase reaction. Then the typical short tubular ternary thiophosphate SbPS4 compounded with graphene oxide (SbPS4/GO) was successfully synthesized after ultrasonication and freeze-drying. SbPS4 shows a high theoretical specific capacity (1335 mAh/g) according to the conversion-alloying dual mechanisms. The unique short tube inserted in the spongy graphene structure of SbPS4/GO results in boosting the Na ions transport and alleviating the huge volume change in the charging and discharging processes, improving the sodium storage performance. Consequently, the tubular SbPS4 compounded with 10% GO provides an outstanding capacity of 359.58 mAh/g at 500 mA/g. The result indicates that SbPS4/GO anode has a promising application potential for SIBs.