Iron sulfides with dopamine-derived carbon coating as superior performance anodes for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

High energy ball-milled iron sulfides with thin carbon layer coating (BM-FeS/C composites) were prepared by the simple and economical process. Ball-milled process, followed by carbon coating, reduced the particle size and increased the electrical conductivity. When employed as sodium-ion battery anodes, BM-FeS/C composites showed extremely high electrochemical performance with reversible specific capacity of 589.8 mAh center dot g(-1) after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA center dot g(-1). They also exhibited superior rate capabilities of 375.9 mAh center dot g(-1) even at 3.2 A center dot g(-1) and 423.6 mAh center dot g(-1) at 1.5 A center dot g(-1). X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis confirmed the electrochemical pathway for conversion reaction of BM-FeS/C composites.