Cage-like P4S3 molecule as promising anode with high capacity and cycling stability for Li+/Na+/K+ storage

Phosphorus sulfide cage molecule based on P 4 S 3 was investigated for the first time as anode material for the storage of alkali metal ions (Li + , Na + , K + ). Such P 4 S 3 sample was obtained in a large scale by a simple heating reaction of low-cost rep P and S. X-ray diffraction refinement analysis indicates that P 4 S 3 sample possesses a defect rich molecule crystal structure with S/P atom ratio of 0.74. The P 4 S 3 anode delivered a high reversible capacity of 1266 mAh g −1 for lithium-ion batteries at 0.1 A g −1 and good cycling performance. Experimental results demonstrated that the P 4 S 3 anode undergoes a reversible Li-storage reaction of P 4 S 3  + 11 Li +  + 11 e − ↔ 0.5 Li 4 P 2 S 6  + 3 Li 3 P during cycling. It also exhibited a high capacity of 1002 and 378 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 for Na + and K + storage, respectively. These properties suggest the promising application of P 4 S 3 anode in high energy batteries.