Heterostructure interface construction of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets confined in carbon frameworks for wide-temperature sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries with ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) anodes promise a high capacity and abundant resources. However, their inherent low conductivity, large volume expansion and sluggish Na⁺ diffusion limit the development of the wide-temperature sodium storage. This study pioneers a scalable synthesis of hierarchical hollow structural ZIS/C heterostructure through in situ confined growth of ZIS nanosheets in porous hollow carbon spheres (PHCSs) via a hydrothermal method. This unique structure exhibits abundant heterostructures to facilitate charge transport, rich porous structures to promote electrolyte wettability, efficient space utilization to relieve volume expansion, as well as interconnected carbon networks to ensure framework stability. Consequently, ZIS/C exhibits exceptional cycling stability with 92% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. Notably, ZIS/C demonstrates good wide-temperature performance operating at –50 ∼90 °C, especially, at –30 °C with a capacity of 208 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.3A g⁻¹. The full cell of ZIS/C||Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ exhibits excellent high-rate capability (178 mA h g⁻¹ at 6A g⁻¹).