Carbon-encapsulated Sb6O13 nanoparticles for an efficient and durable sodium-ion battery anode

In this communication, nano-thin carbon-encapsulated Sb6O13 nanoparticles (Sb(6)O(13)NPs@C) synthesized innovatively in a one-pot manner were demonstrated as a high-performance anode material for Na-ion batteries. The synthesized Sb(6)O(13)NPs@C bearing irregular nanopores showed an average size of around 60 nm and possessed the 13.6 wt% carbon shell composition, with the mesopores generated by the Sb(6)O(13)NPs@C aggregation. The as-assembled Na-ion battery with Sb(6)O(13)NPs@C exhibited both excellent rate performance (the capacity of as high as 239 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 1000 mA g(-1)) and cycling stability (89.64% capacity retained after 170 cycles). The in-depth understanding of the working principle of the Sb(6)O(13)NPs@C nanocomposite anode for the Na-ion battery was also provided. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.