Cr2S3 nanosheet grafted with porous N-doped carbon architecture as an anode with enhanced Li-storage property

Chromium-based transition metal sulfide such as chromium hemi trisulfide (Cr2S3) gradually emerges as a potential lithium-ion host material considering its relatively large specific capacity along with low cost advantage. However, some excruciating issues such as serious particle aggregation, large volume expansion and insufficient inherent conductivity always result in an inferior Li-storage behavior such as low reversible capacity, limited cycling life and poor high-rate performance. Rational structure design and effective combination with suitable component are crucial to achieve superior Li-storage performance. Herein, a heterostructured composite with small Cr2S3 nanosheets embedded into phenanthroline-derived N-doped porous carbon skeleton (Cr2S3/NC) has been synthesized through a calcination and sulfuration route. In as-prepared Cr2S3/NC composite, Cr2S3 nanosheets are well confined by carbon matrix, which is conductive to an effective suppression on aggregation and volume change. Meanwhile, porous conductive carbon framework supplies desirable expressway for fast electron delivery and reduces the distance for lithium ions diffusion. Consequently, the Cr2S3/NC anode delivers a remarkably elevated Li-storage performance.